Rep. Sánchez Votes Yes for Health Care

Legislation Covers 96 percent of Americans, Reduces the Deficit

Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez, member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare, joined her colleagues tonight to vote for the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).

Rep. Linda Sánchez gave the following statement:

"I vote on behalf of the nearly 50 million Americans who don't have health insurance.

"On behalf of parents who have to choose between taking their sick child to the doctor and paying the electric bill on time.

"On behalf of adult children who are slowly losing their parents to Alzheimer's, and yet can't afford the quality care their parents need.

"In a Nation as prosperous as ours, it is a shame and a tragedy that so many families suffer, watching their loved ones die, when timely tests or early care could have prevented it.

"American families have waited too long for the freedom and security that universal healthcare can provide.

"I strongly support H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act because this legislation tells families yes.

"Yes, they can afford high quality health care.

"Yes, they can get health insurance even if they have a pre-existing condition.

"Yes, they can expect to be treated fairly by insurance companies, regardless of their gender or age.

"Yes, they can keep their health insurance, even if they get sick.

"And yes, we can pass health reform that protects and strengthens our economy by encouraging development and use of health information technology, generic drugs, and advanced medical devices.

"It's well past time for Congress to make sure that an unforeseen illness or accident doesn't mean economic ruin for American families. To stop the abuses of health insurance companies, who play games instead of paying for health care. To ensure that Americans have the freedom to change jobs or to become entrepreneurs, instead of being locked into a job they hate because it is the only way they can afford healthcare.

"I worked to make sure this bill bars insurance companies from charging women more just because they are women.

"I worked to make sure that this bill creates Collaborative Care Networks, to ensure that doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers work together to provide working families, lower income Americans, and those with chronic conditions the high quality coordinated care they need to stay healthy and out of emergency rooms.

"I worked to make sure this bill includes, among the choices it offers consumers, a public option that will focus on health care, not profits.

"I'm proud of my work on this bill, because it means American families and businesses will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can access affordable, quality care when they need it.

"It means that my son Joaquin can grow up in a country that is a little fairer, a little more humane, and a little more secure than the one I grew up in.

"I vote for children and families by supporting this bill."

The legislation passed today will cover 96% of Americans and guarantees stability, lower costs, higher quality, and a greater choice of plans for all Americans. It puts you and your doctor  not the insurance companies  in charge of your health care decisions.

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 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 the choice of 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, and closing it completely over the next 10 years.
* 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.

In Rep. Sánchez' district, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:

* Improve employer-based coverage for 342,000 residents.
* Provide credits for up to 118,000 households to help pay for coverage.
* Improve Medicare for 66,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug "donut hole" for 6,800 seniors.
* Allow 16,300 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 15,100 small businesses.
* Provide coverage for 122,000 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 $50 million.

For more information on the Affordable Health Care for America Act please visit: Healthcare