Neil's Spotlight Healthcare bill heading to House floor
November 2, 2009
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders, the Chairs of the Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor and Ways and Means Committees, and Members of Congress accompanied by ordinary Americans who have been shortchanged by our current health care system unveiled the Affordable Health Care for America Act on October 29, 2009.
This legislation, which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obama’s key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth of out-of-control health care costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace with a public health insurance option to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect people’s choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.
As a result of the current health insurance system, as many as 14,000 Americans lose their health care coverage every month and an estimated 45,000 individuals die each year due to lack of insurance.
Medical debt now contributes to half of all bankruptcies, and affects approximately 2 million people every year. This legislation will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will be covered by a quality, affordable health plan.
Meanwhile, Rep. Neil Abercrombie is urging Speaker Pelosi to include the Kucinich amendment in the healthcare legislation. Abercrombie joined is among seven lawmakers who signed a letter on October 30th calling for the action.
