Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans
October 29, 2009
Today House Democrats unveiled health care reform legislation that will provide access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The House is expected to debate and vote on the legislation next week.
“This is an historic day for our country,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), who joined his fellow Democrats at a press conference to announce the bill. “For too long, too many Americans have not had access to quality, affordable health care. This bill will ensure that the millions of Americans who don't have health care or are struggling to pay their health care bills will be able to get the care they need when they need it, without bankrupting them or adding to our national debt.”
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) combines and updates the provisions of the three bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July. The bill will slow the growth of out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable, and protect people's choices of doctors and health plans. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, which will be completely paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years.
“We need to bring down the cost of health care so that our families, our small businesses, and our economy can survive,” said Congressman Thompson. “In order to do that, we need to pass the strongest bill possible that will inject competition into the marketplace and make insurance more affordable. I'm a strong supporter of the public option, which will allow individuals who aren't currently covered by their employer to have many choices about their health insurance plan.”
The legislation also will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage - so that they won't lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job. The bill will end increases in premiums or denials of care or coverage based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and strictly limit age rating. The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care and cap out-of-pocket expenses to protect every American from bankruptcy.
“No woman should be denied coverage because they have given birth or other ridiculous ‘pre-existing conditions' that some insurance companies currently use to deny coverage to Americans,” said Congressman Thompson. “The average family currently pays over $1,000 per year to cover the costs of uninsured folks getting emergency care. By increasing the number of people who have health care, we'll actually bring down costs for everyone.”
To view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for American Act, H.R. 3926, click here: https://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf
To view a bill summary, detailed fact sheets and more information on what the health insurance reform will mean for America, click here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/MoreInfo.asp?section=52
“This is an historic day for our country,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), who joined his fellow Democrats at a press conference to announce the bill. “For too long, too many Americans have not had access to quality, affordable health care. This bill will ensure that the millions of Americans who don't have health care or are struggling to pay their health care bills will be able to get the care they need when they need it, without bankrupting them or adding to our national debt.”
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) combines and updates the provisions of the three bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July. The bill will slow the growth of out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable, and protect people's choices of doctors and health plans. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, which will be completely paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years.
“We need to bring down the cost of health care so that our families, our small businesses, and our economy can survive,” said Congressman Thompson. “In order to do that, we need to pass the strongest bill possible that will inject competition into the marketplace and make insurance more affordable. I'm a strong supporter of the public option, which will allow individuals who aren't currently covered by their employer to have many choices about their health insurance plan.”
The legislation also will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage - so that they won't lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job. The bill will end increases in premiums or denials of care or coverage based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and strictly limit age rating. The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care and cap out-of-pocket expenses to protect every American from bankruptcy.
“No woman should be denied coverage because they have given birth or other ridiculous ‘pre-existing conditions' that some insurance companies currently use to deny coverage to Americans,” said Congressman Thompson. “The average family currently pays over $1,000 per year to cover the costs of uninsured folks getting emergency care. By increasing the number of people who have health care, we'll actually bring down costs for everyone.”
To view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for American Act, H.R. 3926, click here: https://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf
To view a bill summary, detailed fact sheets and more information on what the health insurance reform will mean for America, click here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/MoreInfo.asp?section=52
Issues:Health Care