It’s time to act to make health care work right

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When the health insurance reform bill comes before the House of Representatives for a vote in the coming days, I intend to vote in favor of stable, quality health care for my constituents.

I will do so thinking about my constituents whose stories are a testament to the need for health insurance reform. These heartfelt stories and struggles are the reason our system is in crisis today. One of my constituents was denied insurance because she enrolled her children in grief counseling after their father died. Another constituent has to travel more than 100 miles for cancer treatment because her insurance isn’t accepted at her local hospital.

This is a crisis families across our country face every day.  It’s a crisis for families whose health insurance runs out after being laid off. It’s a crisis for all of the Americans who are regularly denied care in the individual market because of “pre-existing conditions.” It’s a crisis for every family that has seen health care premiums double in just 10 years, and it’s a crisis for small business owners who are forced to decide between reducing the size of their workforce or reducing health benefits. As your representative, I cannot turn my back on this crisis.

Health care has been a priority of mine since my first days in public service. As a State Senator, I created a first in the nation program to offer every senior citizen and person with a disability in Illinois discounted prescription drugs. I fought for legislation to expand care for low-income families and children. I’ve fought for health reform since first being elected in 1996, and I’ve continued this fight here in Congress.

Throughout the past 11 months, I’ve spoken with thousands of my constituents on this topic. From workplace town halls, to telephone town halls, to open one-on-one meetings, I’ve listened to the thoughtful and heartfelt concerns of my constituents and answered their questions. I could not have come to a well-informed decision without hearing from so many concerned and passionate constituents.

This summer, when the first House bill (H.R. 3200) was introduced, I didn’t support it. The bill wasn’t deficit neutral and it didn’t do enough to lower costs and spur competition. I was part of the group of moderate Democrats who demanded we have time to talk to our constituents about this legislation and not vote before the August work period. When my party pressured me to accept a public option that would harm rural health care providers and limit doctor choice, I stood up and said no.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) is a greatly improved bill; it brings common-sense solutions that will save my constituents money, reduce health care costs, and reduce the deficit by $30 billion dollars over 10 years.

If you’re Medicare Part D recipient in the prescription drug “donut hole,” you’ll get a 50 percent discount on drugs, and see the donut hole reduced immediately.

If you’ve got a pre-existing condition, you’ll now have affordable options. Additionally, high-risk insurance plans will be immediately available — a bipartisan suggestion offered by Senator John McCain.

If you’ve just lost your job, you can stay on COBRA until a health care exchange is in place.

The bill establishes initiatives to keep frivolous lawsuits out of the courts while protecting the rights of patients, and permits states to allow residents to buy private insurance across state lines. People who are in this country illegally are prohibited from participating in the public option or the exchange, and small business owners can lower their costs through a new health insurance exchange that offers more choice and competition amongst private insurers.

The new bill as introduced addresses the health care crisis that is facing my constituents and our country by securing stable, quality health care for millions of families while reducing costs and decreasing the deficit. That is why, when this bill comes to the floor for a vote, it will have my support.

If you have questions about the bill, or want to read through it, please visit my Web site, http://halvorson.house.gov, or contact my office.

The cost of inaction is too high, and allowing this crisis to continue is not acceptable. This bill offers all Americans access to affordable coverage, and stable, quality care.

It’s time for us to achieve reform.

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