Insurance

Washington, Nov 7 -- Floor Statement on the Affordable Health Care for America Act by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34), who joined her colleagues in voting for the historic health care reform legislation:

"Madam Speaker,

I rise in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a bill that is undoubtedly the most important single piece of legislation being considered by this 111th Congress, and possibly by any Congress in the last decade.    » read more »

Historic Health Care Act Passes in the House with a Vote of 220-215; It Now Moves to the Senate for Approval

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson voted to end the inequitable practices in access to health care that currently exists in this nation and to ensure that the tens of millions of Americans currently without health insurance have affordable access to it and that the quality of care for all Americans is improved. The historic Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which makes the most sweeping changes to the American health care system in last 40 years, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a 220-215 vote.

The Senate is preparing to vote on a counterpart bill in coming days.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement praising provisions in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) that will improve access to Medicaid and reduce Medicare Part D costs for people living with HIV/AIDS. H.R. 3962 passed the House on Saturday by a vote of 220 to 215:

“Effective drug treatments have improved both health and quality of life for thousands of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. However, many uninsured, low-income HIV-positive individuals still do not have access to these life-saving medications because they generally do not meet Medicaid requirements until becoming disabled by full-blown AIDS.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The House will vote on the legislation later tonight. Below are the Speaker’s remarks.

“Madam Speaker, today, as we all know, is an historic moment for our nation and for American families. For nearly a century, leaders of every party and political philosophy – as far back as Teddy Roosevelt - have called for health care for the American people. For generations, the American people have called for affordable, quality health care for their families. Today, the call will be answered. Today, we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders held a press conference following the House passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The bill passed by a vote of 220 to 215. Below are the Speaker’s opening remarks:    » read more »

Affordable Health Care for America Act passes with a 220-215 vote

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – This evening, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) proudly voted in favor of the final passage of H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act." The bill passed by a vote of 220-215. Pascrell, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and its Health Subcommittee, worked to help craft the bill during the past several months.

On the House floor this afternoon, Rep. Pascrell gave the following statement in support of the bill:

“Madam Speaker, today is when we must ask ourselves the real reason we came to Congress – was it to fulfill the hopes of the people or to take the path of least resistance?    » read more »

Congressman Olver: “Most Important Initiative in My 19 years in Congress”

November 07, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Olver joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of H.R. 3962, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. The bill passed 220 to 215.

Congressman John Olver said, “This is the most important initiative that I have seen in my 19 years in Congress. We have the most expensive health care system in the world, bar none. Yet our gold-plated system fails to achieve the most basic measures of health. There is clearly something wrong with this picture. Today, we’ve taken a very important first step to making affordable, quality health care available for all Americans.”    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives voted 220-215 to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Health care costs are out of control and hurting our families, seniors, small businesses, and those with preexisting conditions. We have the best health care in the world if you can afford it, but every year more and more Americans cannot.

“For nearly a century, both Democrats and Republicans have failed to enact comprehensive health care reform. Today’s historic vote moves us closer to solving America’s health care crisis.”

Source: Congressman John P. Murtha

November 7, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) -- Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) commented on today’s historic vote on H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed the House of Representatives 220-215. The bill reforms the nation’s health insurance system to increase access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

“With the passage of the House version of health insurance reform legislation, we recognize the government has a moral responsibility to make sure its citizens have access to quality and affordable health care,” Congresswoman Moore said. “The health of a country’s population is absolutely critical to its productivity, and it’s about time that the United States got in the game.    » read more »

"Doing Nothing is Not an Option"

7 November 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell today, in order to keep the healthcare reform process moving forward, voted for of H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act. The bill passed by a vote of 220 to 215.    » read more »

Affordable Health Care for America Act Covers 96% of Americans, Reduces the Deficit

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek today voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, historic legislation that will provide needed insurance reforms for Americans with insurance, expand coverage for those who do not have insurance, lower costs for families and businesses, and begin to reduce the deficit.

"Today marks the culmination of generations of hard work and effort by those who have long sought access to quality, affordable health care. I am honored to be a part of this effort," said Congressman Kendrick Meek.    » read more »

House approves legislation by a vote of 220-215

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC – In anticipation of final passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) today entered the following Floor Statement into the Congressional Record:

Madam Speaker, today we are making history. Today the U.S. House of Representatives is making health care in the United States of America more affordable and more accessible for millions of our citizens. This legislation may not be perfect, but it is very good. It will make our country stronger, our economy more productive, and every American family healthier.    » read more »

11/09/09 -- CORNING, N.Y. - Today Congressman Eric Massa outlined his reasons for voting against H.R. 3962 on Saturday night. To summarize the specific votes: Rep. Massa voted for the rule of debate, against the Stupak Amendment and against final passage of the bill.

When H.R. 3962 was first introduced on Thursday, October 29th, Rep. Massa canceled his weekend schedule to read and review the legislation. Following seven days of studying the bill, consulting with experts and speaking with constituents, Rep. Massa announced his intention to vote against the bill.    » read more »

Washington, Nov 7 - Following the vote on H.R. 3962 in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Betsy Markey released the following statement:

After carefully reviewing this legislation and hearing from thousands of Coloradans across my district, I could not support this bill. This was not an easy decision to make, because I know only too well that America’s health care system is in dire need of reform.

This bill provides new coverage for millions of Americans, but it simply does not do enough to cut the health care costs that are crushing our businesses and families. It’s critical that we control rising health care costs, increase quality and value within our health care system, and improve access to health care and affordable health insurance coverage.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Today, I joined a majority of my colleagues in voting to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This legislation is an honest commitment to quality, affordable health care for all Americans that will help contain our nation’s skyrocketing health care costs.    » read more »