Heinrich Makes Historic Vote For Health Reform To Improve the Lives of Hundreds of Thousands of New Mexicans

Press Release

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010:

"Today's vote to reform our broken health insurance system defines who we are as a nation.

"My vote today puts an end to insurers rejecting you because you have a pre-existing condition. My vote today closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole. My vote today gives small business owners tax credits so their employee coverage will be more affordable. My vote today reduces the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next two decades. My vote today holds insurance companies accountable.

"This debate has been long, thoughtful, and emotional. And even though we have seen statistics manipulated, misinformation encouraged, and the very patriotism of our fellow citizens called into question, I am confident that my vote today falls on the right side of history.

"The benefits of reform will be large and immediate for New Mexicans, and our nation will be stronger and healthier because of it."

The House voted 219 to 212 in favor of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In a separate vote, the House voted 220 to 211 to pass H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, building on this reform to further improve affordability for the middle class, ensure that no one state is singled out for special deals, and ensure that the prescription drug doughnut hole is fully closed to lower costs for seniors. The House-passed improvements to the Senate bill will be approved by the Senate in the coming days.

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