Health insurance

10 November 2009 -- Washington, D.C. Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding his vote for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Nearly forty-five years ago, Congress enacted a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid plan which, to date, provides poor and low income families in Mississippi with health care coverage. Passage of The Affordable Health Care for America Act will have the same monumental significance that Medicare and Medicaid has provided for many Americans. It is my hope that the Senate will move swiftly to pass a similar version of the House bill to provide quality and affordable health care for all Americans.”    » read more »

Bipartisan Bill Supported by Congressman Space, AARP, AMA

11/10/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fighting to overcome a health care crisis that has crippled Ohio’s seniors, working families, rural health care providers, and small businesses, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) supported a bipartisan health care bill in the House of Representatives that will save consumers who are legal residents more than $5000 in premiums and will save seniors thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act has been endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the nation’s largest seniors group, as well as the American Medical Association (AMA), the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules applauded the American Association of Retired Persons and joined them in praising the Affordable Health Care for America Act, noting it would greatly help senior citizens.

“I’m proud to see that in the many organizations that have signed on to support this bill, AARP has joined our coalition and endorsed our bill,” said Slaughter. “They represent 40 million seniors nationwide and understand that this bill will do more to protect seniors and bring down their medical costs than any other single piece of legislation in decades. The reason health care will succeed this time around is because we have support from so many important groups like AARP.”    » read more »

"Doesn't Provide Enough Reform"

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 3962, the House health care reform legislation.

“There is no question that our nation’s health care system is broken. Over the past few months, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents and received thousands of calls, letters and emails about health care reform. I thank everyone in Western North Carolina who so willingly shared their stories and concerns with me. It is clear to me that we, as a country, are failing to provide enough Americans with affordable options to manage their health care, prevent illness and treat existing conditions.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC -- November 10, 2009 – Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, released the following statement committing herself to vote against health care reform that erodes a woman’s right to choose. As a co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus and member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Schakowsky has fought to expand women’s rights and improve health care for all women. Rep. Schakowsky has added her name to letters that are being sent to the President and the Speaker, plainly establishing her position.    » read more »

Reduce Costs, Expand Coverage, and Preserve Patient Choice

11/07/09 -- Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Tom Perriello voted in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, to make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and reduce the federal deficit. He released the following statement:    » read more »

Payne Commends Bill for Lowering Costs, Reducing Deficit

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, House Democrats passed an historic bill that reforms our nation's health insurance system, brings down the deficit and expands access to affordable, quality health care to nearly every American. The Affordable Health Care for America Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves our choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The health care reform bill approved by the House of Representatives late Saturday night would create jobs, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said on Monday. New funding in health care and the more efficient use of existing funds would result in job creation and a boost to the economy, Congressman Pallone added.

"The health care sector is a significant part of the economy that would gain a major boost under the health reform legislation," said Pallone, a key author of the bill. "More money would be directed to health care at all levels and the funds would be used more efficiently."    » read more »

States not doing enough to help smokers quit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2009) -- As the debate over health care reform dominates the media and political arena, a new American Lung Association report finds that states aren't doing enough to help smokers quit – and policymakers must fix this in the health care reform process. In its new report, Helping Smokers Quit: State Cessation Coverage 2009, the American Lung Association advocates for a national prevention and wellness strategy that targets reducing tobacco use by helping smokers quit and preventing them from starting. Key among these strategies is the full coverage of clinically proven smoking cessation treatments for all smokers.    » read more »

Outlines details to guide efforts toward making the health system better for patients and physicians

Nov. 9, 2009 -- HOUSTON – The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates today voted on health system reform policies, reaffirming the AMA’s commitment to health system reform. The AMA's House of Delegates is the nation's broadest, most inclusive assembly of physicians and medical students. Delegates representing every state and medical specialty debate and vote on behalf of their physician peers.    » read more »

Civil Rights Groups Applaud Inclusion Of Strong Public Option

(Washington, DC) – The NAACP, National Urban League and The Black Leadership Forum commend Congress for passing a bill that will reform the current health care system. The bill will include a strong public option, and is expected to offer affordable and quality health care for all Americans.

"Tonight, our congress people made a decision to stop letting so many of our neighbors die for lack of affordable health care coverage. We applaud them for including the public option. The public option means more choice, more competition, lower costs, more families covered, and few forced into bankruptcy," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “    » read more »

House Delivers On Election Promise. Now Is Time For Senate To Act

November 9, 2009 -- The following is the statement of Anna Burger, Chair, Change To Win, on the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

After generations of struggle and decades of delay, the U.S House of Representatives had the courage to act---and, to pass historic reform legislation to assure every American, regardless of age or income, access to high quality, affordable health care. The House’s action this November is why working men and women turned out at the polls last November. Health care is a key economic concern of working families—and, national health care reform is key to economic recovery and security for working families.    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement regarding the passage of health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"I want to commend the United States House of Representatives, especially members of the New Jersey delegation, for the passage of this historic health care reform legislation. For far too long, working families have suffered and faced financial ruin at the hands of a health care industry dominated by corporate self-interest. Yesterday, we took a tremendous step toward changing that system.    » read more »

Urges Continued Work on Balanced Approach that Won’t Burden States with Unfair Costs

11/07/2009 --
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement on the need for comprehensive health care reform and the need for any reform measure to ensure that states are not placed with an unfair financial burden:

“I have long supported comprehensive health care reform and I am very encouraged by the progress happening in Congress, moving the nation closer than ever before to fixing our broken health care system. But, while I believe that successful elements of reform have been proposed in one form or another, additional work is required to ensure the final reform package contains the necessary balance to ensure success.    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, issued the following statement commending the House of Representatives for passing comprehensive health care reform legislation. The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 220-215.

“Last night’s passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act brings this nation one step closer to comprehensive health care reform.

“I applaud the House of Representatives for taking such a strong vote in favor of the American people and against our broken health care system.    » read more »