House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans
Rep. Sánchez' priority on gender-rating included
Washington, DC - The three Committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced comprehensive health care reform legislation today that will reduce out-of-control costs, encourage competition among insurance plans to improve choices for patients, and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. One of Rep. Linda Sánchez' priorities - to prohibit health insurance companies from engaging in "gender-rating" - is included in the bill.
"As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I have been in numerous meetings and worked countless hours to make sure that this legislation will lower costs, offer more choices, and end the need to make job and life choices just to keep health care," said Rep. Linda Sánchez, member of the Ways and Means Committee. "The growing cost of health care is one of the biggest drags on our economy. Within a decade, we will be spending one out of every five dollars we earn on health care. We simply can't afford not to act on this historic reform."
The reform announced today is a strong starting point to protect what works in our health care system and fix what doesn't in an effort to put us back on the path to prosperity and fiscal responsibility.
"I worked hard to make sure that Gender Equity in Health Premiums is included in health care reform," said Rep. Sánchez. "It is absurd that insurance companies can charge women more simply for being women."
Click here to read more about Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act and Sánchez' "Top 5 Reasons Health Insurance Isn't Fair to Women."
The health care reform plan offers:
LOWER COSTS FOR CONSUMERS
" No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care
" An annual cap on out-of-pocket expenseskeeping Americans from financial ruin
" An end to rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation
" Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own policy
" Guaranteed affordable oral health, hearing, and vision care for kids
GREATER CHOICE
" If you like your doctor and current plan, you can keep them
" More choice, with a public health insurance option competing with private insurers
STABILITY AND PEACE OF MIND
* End to denials for pre-existing conditions like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
* Get needed care without waiting to be able to afford it, no lifetime limits
* Job and life choices will no longer be based on health care coverage
HIGHER QUALITY
* Doctors, not insurance giants, will be in charge
* More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, helping to guarantee access
* Benefits will include mental health
"This plan tells every American - if you have coverage and a doctor you like, keep it," said Rep. Sánchez. "If you don't, this plan will help you find and afford quality care."
Last week, Rep. Sánchez unveiled "Linda's Online Health Care Forum," and invited her constituents to share their questions, suggestions, and stories with her through her website about health care reform. Sánchez has already received hundreds of messages from her constituents and has been thanked for allowing them to share their views.
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