Insurance

November 7, 2009 -- Late tonight the U.S. House of Representatives passed an historic health care reform bill by a vote of 220 to 215 that will dramatically change the way health care is delivered in the United States. This bill will mean greater stability and lower costs for all Americans, including affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors and responsibility to our children. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will achieve these goals, covering 96 percent of Americans without adding a dime to the deficit.

The major benefits for Georgians will be:

* The improvement of employer-based coverage for 381,000 residents
* Coverage for 101,000 uninsured residents    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today after voting in support of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962). The bill passed the House by a vote of 220 to 215.

“There is no doubt that health care is costing our small businesses too much, our families too much and the federal government too much. The status quo is unacceptable. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will give hard working individuals and small businesses access to affordable health coverage, and give families and businesses some stability and security during these hard economic times.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Now that the House of Representatives has had its historic 220-215 vote for health care reform, the battle of the news releases has resumed in earnest.

Supporters of the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion plan have argued that the current situation leaves 15 percent of Americans without health insurance and unfairly discriminates against Midwest hospitals and clinics.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said, "Comprehensive health care reform is long overdue because the current system is unsustainable."

Kind and Minnesota 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, had fought to change the way Medicare reimburses geographically - making more of a level playing field for Midwestern providers.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to urge passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This historic legislation passed the House by a vote of 220 to 215. The Congressman’s statement is as follows:

"I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Choices regarding health care are some of the most personal decisions we make. The ability to choose one’s doctor and decide on a course of treatment with one’s physician is an undeniable American right, and so is access to quality affordable health care.    » read more »

November 9 -- Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur voted in favor of comprehensive health care legislation that passed the House by a 220-215 vote. “Affordable health insurance reform is necessary to cut the costs of doing business, reduce the share of government expenditures spent on health care, help our companies to be more competitive in the world market, unleash the entrepreneurial talents of the American people, and give peace of mind to the middle class and our seniors and others that everything they have worked for will not be taken away if they get sick," she said.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is working hard to guarantee access to affordable health care for all of us. Dr. Kagen voted tonight for Affordable Health Care for America Act, the House health care reform bill.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) This evening, Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) cast his vote in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This landmark legislation will for the first time address the health care needs of Americans and no longer make health care a privilege, but a right. H.R. 3962 provides access to affordable healthcare for those who do not have it, lowers costs for working families by increasing competition through an insurance exchange program with a public option, forbids insurance companies from dropping customers when they become sick or denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, and bends the current cost curve by implementing plans to reimburse health care provides based on the quality of care they provide, not just quantity.    » read more »

Lawmaker calls it “an outright assault on my constitutional rights”

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, issued the following statement decrying an anti-choice amendment to HR 3962 – the Affordable Health Care for America Act – offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI).

Harman’s statement follows below.

It is going to be very difficult for me to vote for a health care bill that contains the Stupak amendment on abortion.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) commended the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by the U.S. House of Representatives, which was passed by a vote of 220-215.

Congressman Green noted that HR 3962 would expand health coverage to 36 million Americans, which would guarantee that 96 percent of the population would have health insurance when this bill takes effect.

"This is an historic opportunity to accomplish meaningful change that will provide access to affordable health care coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, including approximately 202,000 residents in Texas’ ninth Congressional district," said Congressman Green.    » read more »

11/06/09 -- Congressman Fattah released the following statement in observance of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Washington, DC – “Pancreatic cancer is a rare and perplexing disease yet, it is the fourth leading cause of death by cancer in the United States. This year, more than 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and more than 35,000 will die from it. That number is far too high.

“To find a cure for pancreatic cancer researchers have to know more about this disease. That is why I am lending my full support to H.R. 7045, The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. The legislation is the first of its kind to call for a significant infusion of funds for research and education concerning this killer cancer.    » read more »

"We are Keeping Our Promise to the American People"

November 7, 2009 -- Before the vote on passage of healthcare reform, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) issued the following statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Madame Speaker, I come to the floor today to cast one of the most important votes of my congressional career--a vote in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"We are on the threshold of history that has been almost a century in the making.

"The promise of America as a land of equality and opportunity that embraces and cares for all of its citizens is but an empty promise without the guarantee of healthcare and the freedom from financial devastation resulting from illness.    » read more »

11/09/09 -- Washington, D.C.--The following is a statement from Rep. Eliot Engel regarding his “YES” vote on The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). The bill passed by a vote of 220 to 215.    » read more »

For the first time in U.S. history, House votes to provide quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC - For the first time in America’s history, all Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today. The legislation will cover 96 percent of Americans by 2015, while reducing the deficit by tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The House approved the measure by a vote of 220 to 215.    » read more »

H.R. 3962 brings meaningful and comprehensive health insurance reform; includes important transparency provisions introduced by Rep. DeLauro

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) today applauded passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“I am extraordinarily proud to have cast a vote today in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “This historic legislation will finally bring about the meaningful, comprehensive health insurance reform American families have been waiting for.    » read more »

Washington, Nov 7 -- Congressman Joe Courtney released the following statement following House passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which the Connecticut Congressman supported.

"This evening, the House of Representatives took an historic step in the right direction for our nation’s health care system by passing H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. After nearly a year, and after many hearings, town hall meetings, discussions with constituents, and conversations with health care professionals, I believe that the legislation passed is one that will improve access and quality of health care to all Americans."    » read more »