Van Hollen Visits Health Care Clinic, Calls for Comprehensive Health Reform

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was joined by Kevin J. Sexton, President and CEO of Holy Cross Hospital, Vincent DeMarco, Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, Matthew Weinstein, Progressive Maryland, Dr. Jean Silver-Isenstadt, National Physicians Alliance, Michele Lewis, AFSCME, Denise Riley, MD and DC AFL-CIO, and Terry Cavanagh, SEIU to highlight health care successes in Maryland and nationally, and to call for federal action to make quality health care affordable for all Americans.

The group visited the Holy Cross Hospital Health Center, a primary care medical center that serves low-income and uninsured adults in Silver Spring and the surrounding areas. As more people lose their insurance during this economic crisis, health centers continue to provide an invaluable service to the community. In 2010 alone, the clinic anticipates 10,000 visitors.

"In these difficult economic times, the rising cost of health care is among Americans' top concerns. Maryland has taken great strides to improve access, and health centers like Holy Cross provide care for the growing number of people who do not have health insurance," said Van Hollen. "But we must take action on the federal level ensure all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. I am committed to working with President Obama, Congress and our state partners to take on this issue and find a comprehensive solution."

"It is long past time for quality health care to be affordable for all Americans," said Vincent DeMarco of the Maryland Health Care For All! Coalition. "The Maryland Health Care For All! Coalition will work hard with Rep. Chris Van Hollen to make this a reality soon."

"As one of the leading members of the United State House of Representatives, Congressman Chris Van Hollen's strong support for Health Care for America Now and President Obama's health care plan is critical to its passage later this year. Nearly 200 members of Congress have signed on to the Health Care for America Now principles of quality, affordable health care for all and opposed to policies that would tax our benefits at work and leave us on our own with the unregulated, bureaucratic private insurance industry," said Matthew Weinstein, Federal Issues Director for Progressive Maryland and state coordinator of Health Care for America Now. "President Obama has called for action this year, and both houses of Congress have passed budget resolutions setting aside $634 billion over the next decade as a down payment on health care reform, which will save us trillions."

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