Affordable Health Choices Act

"It is our responsibility to make sure this foundation and these exchanges are successful."

October 30, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Nine Democratic senators joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today in expressing support for a version of Wyden’s Free Choice proposal which would promote real competition among health insurers by increasing the number of Americans able to choose plans in the new health insurance exchanges.    » read more »

“60-Plus” campaign full of false information, scare tactics

October 30, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today slammed a new television ad campaign running in Alaska and several other states as just another attempt by those trying to defeat health reform by using false information and scare tactics to mislead the public.

The television ads from the 60 Plus Association are falsely telling viewers that Sen. Begich supports health care legislation that includes massive cuts to Medicare and will harm seniors.

"This is an outrageous attempt to scare and mislead seniors on the topic of health insurance reform" Begich said. "None of the health care reform proposals being considered by the Senate would cut Medicare benefits."    » read more »

South Court, Eisenhower Executive Office Building

October 29, 2009 -- THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Please, have a seat. Before I begin, I want to just acknowledge two people who are working extraordinarily hard on behalf of small businesses. First of all, the administrator of our Small Business Administration, Karen Mills, is here. (Applause.)    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- “I congratulate the House of Representatives on the introduction of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, another critical milestone in the effort to reform our health care system.

"This legislation is the product of unprecedented cooperation and countless hours of hard work by Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman, Rangel, and Miller, Congressman Dingell, and scores of House members who share my conviction that we can’t wait another year for health insurance reform. They have forged a strong consensus that represents a historic step forward.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report, Lower Premiums, Stronger Businesses: How Health Insurance Reform Will Bring Down Costs for Small Businesses. The report outlines the many ways health insurance reform will lower health care costs for small businesses and is available now at www.HealthReform.gov.

“Small businesses drive our economy and create jobs, but they are struggling as health care costs continue to rise,” Secretary Sebelius said. “The high cost of care is making it difficult or impossible for these businesses to offer care or grow their business. Health insurance reform will bring costs down and give small businesses the relief they need.”

The report notes:    » read more »

Franken Calls On Health Care Reform Leaders to Simplify Administrative Processes and Crack Down on Fraud

Washington, D.C. -- Oct 27, 2009 – U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) wrote to Chairmen Baucus (D-Mont.) and Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Dodd (D-Conn.) to urge them to include administrative simplification measures already adopted in Minnesota as part of the national health care reform efforts.

“Doctors and nurses should spend their time and resources dealing with patients, not paperwork,” said Sen. Franken. “I’m proud that Minnesota has been a leader in simplifying administrative processes. If the nation follows our example, we can save this country billions.”    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today after Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the health care reform legislation will include a strong public option.

“I fought for a strong public option – in the HELP Committee and in this merger process – because it is the best way to keep costs low and insurance companies honest,” said Dodd.    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement in response to Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) announcement that a public option will be included in the draft health insurance reform legislation that he sends to Congressional Budget Office (CBO).    » read more »

October 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama praised the progress that has been made on health insurance reform, and spoke out against those who defend the status quo in order to score political points and protect their profits. With reform the closest it has ever been to becoming law, the insurance companies are rolling out deceptive ads, paying for misleading studies, and flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists. Now, Washington needs to serve the American people, not the special interests.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address October 17, 2009    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today issued the following statement on the Senate Finance Committee’s passage of its health reform bill.    » read more »

Remarks by the President in an online town hall on health care

July 1, 2009 -- Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia -- THE PRESIDENT: Good to see you guys. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Northern Virginia. Thank you very much. What a wonderful welcome. And I'm so grateful to all of you for taking the time to be here.

A couple of quick acknowledgments. First of all, I want to thank President Templin and Chancellor DuBois for their wonderful hospitality. We are grateful to both of them.    » read more »

June 30, 2009 -- "As health care reform enters the next phase, we came together at this point in the debate to add our combined voices to the momentum building behind reform. We believe the time for comprehensive reform is now. The present system is not sustainable. The status quo is not an option.

"We applaud the bipartisan efforts in Congress to craft and pass legislation.

"We are pleased that Walmart, Service Employees International Union and Center for American Progress can support three essential elements that should be included in any health care reform legislation--an employer mandate, strong efficiency provisions and a 'trigger' mechanism to ensure cost reductions.    » read more »

National savings and federal budget costs vary widely depending on approach

New York, NY, June 24, 2009— A comprehensive approach to health insurance, provider payment, and care delivery system reforms has the potential to slow health care cost increases while achieving near-universal coverage. The potential savings for families, businesses, and the federal government vary markedly, however, depending on whether or not a public insurance plan option is included and how such a plan is structured, according to a new analysis from The Commonwealth Fund.    » read more »

Response by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to the insurance industry's 'Chicken Little' letter on the public health insurance option

June 23, 2009 -- For far too long, Americans have struggled under a broken health care system dominated by insurance companies who care about one thing – their own profits. Passing health care reform that includes a quality public health insurance option is crucial to America's workers because it will provide a competitive impetus for companies to reduce overhead expenses and lower costs.    » read more »

More than half in huge survey say they cannot get the health care they need at a price they can afford

June 23, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) –Over half of the 23,460 people who responded online to a health care survey sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Working America say they cannot get the health care they need at a price they can afford, and the problem is even more acute among people who buy their own insurance, Hispanics and young adults. A third of respondents report that they forgo basic medical care because of costs, including skipping doctor recommended tests and treatments and not visiting a doctor when they are sick.    » read more »