For Immediate Release: Friday, July 17, 2009 | Contact: Matthew Beck (W&M) - (202) 225-8933 Brian Cook (Stark) - (202) 225-3202 |
Ways and Means Passes Historic Health Reform Legislation Bill would lower costs, provide more choices, and ensure access to quality, affordable care WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Committee on Ways and Means today passed H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, by a vote of 23-18. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), reform provisions in the bill will cover 97 percent of Americans. These provisions will be merged with provisions currently under consideration in the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor for consideration by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks. “This is an exciting day in the history of this Committee and the Congress as we tackle the challenges of reforming America’s health care system,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). “America is ready for reform, the rising cost of health care has been draining the economy and the pocketbooks of American families for too long. Today the Committee approved legislation that will encourage competition in the health insurance marketplace, control costs and improve access to quality affordable care. This uniquely American solution will put patients first, make critical investments in primary care and nurses, and reform the health care delivery system so that we can build a healthier, more productive economy.” “Today’s vote is another historic step toward enacting health care reform this year,” said Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark. “I look forward reconciling our changes with the other committees, and voting on the floor of the House to provide affordable, quality health care to all Americans.” Please click here to view Chairman Stark’s opening statement. The bill, endorsed by the American Medical Association, and supported by the AARP along with other organizations, includes important reforms such as the creation of health insurance exchange, a public health insurance option to compete with private insurers, and new rules to prohibit abusive practices by private insurers. The bill strengthens Medicare and Medicaid, makes critical delivery system reforms and includes subsidies to make insurance more affordable for individuals and small businesses. The bill also makes key reforms to the health care delivery system to help “bend the curve” and control long-term health care costs. CBO has issued a preliminary estimate of the new reform provisions at a net cost of $1 trillion over ten years. These reforms will be fully paid for through payment and delivery system reform in Medicare and Medicaid that will result in substantial cost savings, as well as a surcharge that will affect only the wealthiest one percent of households, and only four percent of small businesses. The key principles of legislation include, among other things: Increasing choice and competition. First, the bill will protect and improve consumers’ choices.
Giving Americans peace of mind. Second, the legislation will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care plans – so that they won’t lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job.
Improving quality of care for every American. Third, the legislation will ensure that Americans of all ages, from young children to retirees have access to greater quality of care by focusing on prevention, wellness, and strengthening programs that work.
Ensuring shared responsibility. Fourth, the bill will ensure that individuals, employers, and the federal government all share responsibility for a quality and affordable health care system.
Protecting consumers and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. Fifth, the legislation will put the interests of consumers first, protect them from any problems in getting and keeping health care coverage, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.
For more information on the bill, including bill text, summary, information on revenue provisions, and fact sheets on the reform provisions in the bill, click here. ### |