Health care

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 »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, urging her to address reports that Wall Street executives are receiving the H1N1 vaccine before New Hampshire residents. New Hampshire is scheduled to receive additional doses of the vaccine this week, but confusion remains regarding distribution levels and availability, all while Wall Street executives have already received the vaccines they need.    » 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 »

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the most significant health care bill considered by the House of Representatives since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. The bill would improve the provision of health care in the United States by:

* Insuring 36 million additional Americans, which will improve preventive care, reduce emergency room visits and reduce overall health costs.
* Removing health insurance pre-existing condition limitations.
* Removing health insurance lifetime aggregate limit caps.
* Prohibiting insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you become sick.    » read more »

11.07.09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) released the following statement.

“I am voting for HR 3962 because the choice of doing nothing was not an option. During my negotiations to help improve the bill for our Valley, I was able to achieve funding for a medical school in the Valley, with studies at UC Merced and residency in Fresno as well as additional incentives to bring health professionals to our Valley. Increased funding in this bill for programs ranging from nurse training to health career opportunity programs to community health centers and increased reimbursement rate for low-paying Medicaid will go a long way in strengthening our health system in the Valley.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke joined the House of Representatives in casting a historic vote passing H.R. 3962 Affordable Healthcare for America Act. She released the following statement:

“Healthcare is a fundamental human right, rather than a commodity. A year ago, Americans cast a historic vote to change the course of this nation. Today, we casted a historic vote to finally manifest the change they demanded, access to affordable Healthcare. I am proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill.

“This bill provides healthcare coverage to 96% of Americans and includes a strong public option that will provide the needed competition to lower premium costs.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA32, issued the following statement today on the passage of the House version of the health care reform bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009:    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman André Carson issued the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act—historic legislation that will bring quality, affordable health care to all Americans.

“My support for this historic health-care reform legislation came down to the fact that it will dramatically help hundreds of thousands of my constituents and will provide tremendous benefits to small businesses, which are being hit hard by exploding health-care costs.    » read more »