House-Passed Bill Will Insure 32 Million Americans
(Washington, DC)— U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) today voted for legislation that gives families more choices and control over their health care decisions, extends health care coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans and reduces the deficit.
Congresswoman Moore said, “Today’s vote caps off more than a year of debate and makes good on our promise to deliver health insurance reform for the American people.”
“Every day people are denied coverage or kicked off insurance. This means life and death; this means bankruptcy; this means higher costs for everyone. This bill changes that,” Moore continued.
She concluded, “The reforms in this bill give families moruse.gov/enee choices and more control over their health care. And it completes a goal that has evaded us since President Teddy Roosevelt said that every person deserves health care.”
By a vote of 220-211, the House today passed changes to legislation that passed the Senate on December 24, 2009. The bill now goes to the Senate, and it can pass with a simple majority vote.
Highlights of the legislation include:
- Extends health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans and helps people afford it;
- Reduces the Deficit by $143 billion the first decade and by $1.2 trillion the second ten years;
- Helps small businesses afford health insurance for their employees;
- Stops insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and dropping people’s coverage all together when they get too sick;
- Improves Medicare for seniors by closing the prescription drug benefit donut-hole and expanding preventative services; and
- Eliminates fraud and abuse in Medicare.
Many of these benefits go into effect right away or shortly after the bill passes. Other immediate benefits can be seen here.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee estimated benefits for Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District, which Moore represents. Those benefits include:
- Helps 12,300 small businesses cover the costs of insuring their employees;
- Improves Medicare for 87,000 seniors;
- Covers 52,500 uninsured people;
- Allows 11,900 people – including children – with pre-existing conditions get affordable health care; and
- Covers 59,000 young adults on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthdays.
More benefits for Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District can be found here.
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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact David Frey at 202-225-4572.
