Healthcare Bill Heading to the House Floor 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.
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.
Helping Small Businesses Thrive The U.S. House of Representatives also passed the Small Business Financing and Investment Act. The legislation will comprehensively reform small business lending programs to spur job creation and meet the needs of small businesses in the United States.
This legislation will spur job creation and innovation, and help save or create 1.3 million jobs each year. This bipartisan bill makes it easier for businesses to get loans and access capital, and gives local banks and credit unions the confidence to open lending to a wider community of entrepreneurs. It builds on the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, extending key provisions that eliminated fees for Small Business Administration loans. And it provides tools for veterans, women, and rural families to get a head-start on a new business, create jobs, and succeed.
