Washington, D.C. -- "Tonight’s passage of healthcare reform contained in the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the House of Representatives is step one in the most momentous advance in the American people’s health and well-being since President Johnson signed the Social Security Act Amendments into law in 1964 and enacted Medicare.

"I voted for healthcare reform because it makes healthcare more affordable and accessible for Hawaii families, and it protects our Prepaid Health Care Act. We’ve been ahead of the rest of the country since 1974, and this legislation will not change that.

"The healthcare reform legislation will improve the lives of millions of Americans; those who cannot afford health insurance; those who are denied health insurance; those who have inadequate health insurance; those who are going broke to pay for health insurance. Among those Americans who will benefit are thousands of our family and friends in Hawaii.

• It provides tax credits to help as many as 116,000 Hawaii families pay for healthcare insurance.  These are families who can’t afford it now.
• It improves Medicare services for 105,000 Hawaii Seniors. It closes the prescription drug ‘donut hole’ that forces 11,900 people here to pay more than they should for medicine.
• It ensures that 3,800 people in Hawaii can’t be prevented from getting health insurance because of pre-existing medical conditions.
• It makes healthcare coverage more affordable for 15,000 of our small businesses.  As many as 13,200 of them will be eligible for tax credits to help reduce costs.
• It will help an estimated 500 Hawaii families avoid bankruptcy every year from crushing medical costs.
• It reduces the $69 million dollars we pay every year for uncompensated medical care.  Today, our local and state governments cover about 75% of it, and Hawaii families pay an extra $700 a year in health insurance premiums.

"If you get your healthcare through your job, the Healthcare Reform Plan will improve the coverage by:

• Limiting exclusions for pre-existing conditions (Effective January 1, 2010);
• Prohibiting health insurance companies from cancelling coverage except in cases of fraud (Effective July 1, 2010);
• Requiring health insurers to allow individuals up to the age of 27 to remain on their parents’ health insurance (Effective January 1, 2010);
• Prohibiting health insurers from imposing lifetime limits on benefits (Effective January 1, 2010);
• Prohibiting employers from reducing retiree health benefits below what was offered at the time of their retirement unless reductions are also made to active workers’ health benefits (Effective on date of enactment);
• Prohibiting insurers from limiting or denying coverage based on injuries stemming from domestic violence (Effective January 1, 2010); and
• Requiring plans to pay for reconstructive surgery for children with deformities (Effective January 1, 2010).

"The legislation we approved tonight is not perfect, nor is it the final word on healthcare. But it is a momentous step. Healthcare reform has been talked about since the 1950s, yet proponents have never been able to overcome the special interests that make a lot of money under the present system and want to keep things just the way they are. They’ve had things their way for a long time. It’s your turn."

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