Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2009 |
CONTACT: Tali Israeli, 202-225-6111 Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111 |
| U.S. Rep. Schwartz Lauds House Passage of Uniquely American Solution to Health Reform |
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“Health care reform is both a moral and economic imperative,” U.S. Rep. Schwartz said. “Americans have been waiting decades for access to affordable, meaningful health care, and tonight’s historic vote moved us closer than ever before to this goal. This legislation builds on what works, and improves what doesn’t in our health care system. It ensures that we will provide nearly every American with access to affordable, quality health care coverage. It improves delivery of care and will lead to better health outcomes for all Americans. And, this bill contains the rapidly rising costs of health care - critical to America’s economic strength in a global economy.”
As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, one of three committees of jurisdiction over health care policy, Schwartz played a significant role in drafting this important piece of legislation. Schwartz was outspoken in working to ensure that the legislation made best use of America’s tremendous assets of innovation, competition and public -private choices.
Schwartz took a lead role in ensuring key provisions, based on earlier pieces of legislation she wrote, were in the final bill.
- Ensuring that insurance companies would no longer be permitted to exclude coverage of pre-existing conditions;
- Increasing transparency in insurance paperwork and requiring that coverage be explained in plain language;
- Allowing young people, up to the age of 27, to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans;
- Increasing the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and physician assistants through new scholarship and loan repayment programs and a new focus on preventive care in medical education;
- Incentivizing care coordination for patients with chronic conditions to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable hospital admissions;
- Eliminating co-payments for prevention and primary care for Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance beneficiaries; and
- Providing new access to life-saving vaccines for seniors who rely on Medicare.
Schwartz also fought to ensure that as we encourage greater efficiencies and quality in America’s hospitals, we make certain that policies affecting hospitals take into account the unique teaching, research and innovation missions of Philadelphia’s hospitals. She also worked to advance provisions to assist small businesses with tax credits. In her role as vice chair of the House Budget Committee, Schwartz worked to ensure that the House bill was fully paid for, now and into the future.
“We know that the status quo is unaffordable and unsustainable. Passing health care reform benefits all of us: families, seniors, businesses, and our nation,” said Schwartz.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act
If you have insurance, this bill:
- Keeps your insurance company from denying you care or coverage – or charging you more – because of diabetes, heart disease or any other “pre-existing condition.”
- Gives you peace of mind that you won’t lose coverage if you lose your job, move, or change jobs.
- Prevents insurance companies from dropping you because you get “too sick.”
- Covers preventive care with no co-pays or deductibles.
- Limits out-of-pocket expenses your insurance company can make you pay.
If you don’t have insurance, this bill:
- Lets you comparison shop for a quality, affordable health plan through a new health insurance exchange or marketplace.
- Offers you low group rates even for individual coverage.
- Helps lower your premiums with affordability credits for those who need help paying.
- Prevents any insurance company from denying you coverage for heart disease, diabetes or another “pre-existing condition.”
- Extends coverage for young Americans, allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans up to their 27th birthday if they choose.
- Includes a public health insurance option to compete on a level playing field with private insurers.
For our seniors, this bill:
- Strengthens Medicare, extending its solvency for years to come.
- Improves access to your doctor.
- Lowers Medicare drug prices by beginning to close the coverage gap or “donut hole” immediately.
- Reduces inefficiencies and program costs to help Medicare remain solvent without cutting benefits.
- Improves coordination and increases the quality of care for seniors with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.
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