HELP Committee Approves Historic Health Care Reform Measure

Statement

HELP Committee Approves Historic Health Care Reform Measure

Today, after the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed the Affordable Health Choices Act by a vote of 13-10, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the committee who authored several key provisions and amendments that were included in the bill, issued the following statement:

"This is a historic first step and a strong signal that the status quo isn't good enough. I commend Chairman Kennedy and Senator Dodd for their leadership in passing the landmark Affordable Health Choices Act out of committee.

"I authored several key provisions of the bill that will make it more consumer friendly and improve essential preventive services, like immunizations, which are vital to keeping Americans healthy and containing future costs.

"Skyrocketing health care costs are threatening the economic stability of American families and businesses, and the fiscal health of our nation. In 1980, Americans spent $253 billion on health care; today our country's medical spending exceeds $2 trillion. One out of every six dollars we produce as a nation is spent covering the costs of medical bills, and that's unhealthy for family budgets and our national economy.

"This bill reforms the health insurance market so that it works for all Americans and contains a strong public health insurance option that will rein in costs while also providing millions of Americans access to more efficient, reliable, and affordable coverage that meets their needs.

"We kept President Obama's commitment to ensure that all Americans who like the coverage they have can keep it. But we also provided a menu of coverage options for those who lack it, and greater health care stability for those who need it. Families will no longer have to fear losing their health insurance if they lose their job. And no one will be denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.

"The bill makes important investments in our nation's health care workforce to ensure that we continue to have the most well-trained, highly qualified doctors and medical professionals in the world. It also invests in prevention to transform our system from sick care to health care, reducing costs and improving quality over the long term.

"This health care plan will be fully paid for, unlike so many of the proposals enacted during the Bush administration. President Obama has already received commitments from health care industries, including pharmaceutical companies, drug companies, and hospitals recognizing that they have to share in the cost of payment and contribute to this plan. And we will work with our colleagues on the Finance Committee and in the House to pass a strong health care reform bill through Congress this year to ensure America's long-term economic health.

"This is a fiscally responsible proposal that gives consumers more choices, provides families with greater health care stability, and modernizes our health care system to improve the quality of care and reduce costs."

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