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House of Representatives Debates Historic & Timely Health Insurance Legislation
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The House of Representatives introduced the latest version of legislation to improve the health care system in America, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. For resources about the legislation and proposed reforms visit Rep. Higgins' health reform web page located here.
This legislation was developed after months of work, revision and compromise on the reforms needed in the health insurance industry, but really this bill is six decades in the making. The bill incorporates ideas from Republicans and Democrats, and reflects the concerns that I heard from constituents in Western New York.
This reform bill will begin to provide all Americans access to affordable health care. Mounting health insurance costs are breaking businesses and bankrupting families. With local insurance companies announcing double digit increases next year and rates expected to cost families $24,000 annually in less than ten years, this change can’t come soon enough for hard working Western New Yorkers.
In Western New York, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:
- Improve employer-base coverage for 380,000 residents
- Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 176,000 households
- Improve Medicare for 122,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 10,200 seniors
- Allow 15,000 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 13,000 small businesses
- Provide coverage for 20,000 uninsured residents
- Protect up to 1,100 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs
- Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $51 million
With approval of this legislation we start down the path of health care delivery that puts patients before profits; promises high quality care at a low cost; protects families and seniors from denial and discrimination based on preexisting conditions and encourages competition and choice through the creation of a health insurance exchange and a voluntary public option people can choose if they’d like.
In the United States we pay 50% more for health care than any other country but rank 37th in quality. Health care in America today is unacceptable, unsustainable and unaffordable -- but that is all about to change. This is a great nation that believes in opportunity and values people and with consideration of this historic bill imminent we again have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the future of all Americans.
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