Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement tonight, after President Obama gave his address on health care reform before a joint session of Congress. 

“Tonight President Obama’s made a bold statement to a joint session of Congress, and to the American people, about what’s at stake in the debate over health care and the path we must all take together to achieve needed reforms.  I stand with the President, and will continue to work with him to achieve greater stability and security for those Americans who have insurance, and provide affordable coverage to those who lack it.”

“While the months of debate leading up to tonight have been filled with great passion, they have also been filled with thoughtful conversation and policy making.  Across the nation, Americans from all walks of life understand that something is wrong with our health care system.  Costs are too high, insurance practices are too often unfair, and 47 million Americans lack even the most basic coverage – including 217,000 in my own Congressional District.  As the President made clear, doing nothing is not an option.”

“I am proud to stand with President Obama in his call for health care and health insurance reform.  The principles that the President and many in Congress have advocated for: lowering health care costs and reining in the deficit, providing increased access to coverage, ending denials for pre-existing conditions, and protecting consumers’ choice of doctors and plans, will remain the cornerstone of our reform movement.”

“As President Obama noted tonight, we are entering a new phase in the health care debate.  We have had debates, forums, and policy meetings here in the halls of Congress and across the nation.  Now we begin the process of putting the pieces together, moving forward as a nation, and enacting the reform the American people deserve.”

“I am proud to continue to serve the 43rd Congressional District in this time of enormous change.  We have come a long ways this year - working to right our struggling economy, creating new clean energy jobs here at home, and tackling the enormous issue of health care reform.  With the strength and determination of the American people, and the leadership of President Obama and the Congress, we can enact the change so desperately needed and make sure the United States is a nation of opportunity for everyone.”