Representative Sander Levin (D-MI): “This Act provides a major breakthrough after decades of inaction on comprehensive health care reform. Where our present system works, this reform builds on it, maintaining the commitment we made from the beginning: if you like the coverage you have, you’ll be able to keep it."
Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA): “After more than 100 years and repeated attempts, America finally is very close to realizing a dream of providing every American with health security," said McDermott. “It is an exciting day for the country and for me personally, because providing every American with affordable health care coverage has been my top priority since the day I entered Congress."
Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA): “Momentum is building, the finish line is in sight, and we have never been closer to securing affordable health coverage for all Americans. This bill, which takes into account the diverse needs and concerns of communities throughout the country, delivers affordable health insurance options for working and middle class Americans. It will reduce the deficit while ensuring that every American can buy and keep their coverage regardless of age or preexisting conditions. I look forward to bringing this bill to the floor for a vote as quickly as possible."
Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA): “This is an historic day for our country," said Thompson. “For too long, too many Americans have not had access to quality, affordable health care. This bill will ensure that the millions of Americans who don’t have health care or are struggling to pay their health care bills will be able to get the care they need when they need it, without bankrupting them or adding to our national debt."
Representative John Larson (D-CT): “The legislation we introduced today adheres to the same principles we laid out months ago. It brings stability and security to Americans who have insurance. It makes sure there is affordable coverage for those who don’t, and it reduces the unsustainable growth in the cost of health care, which has doubled in the last decade and may double again if we do nothing. But this legislation does so in a way that saves more money, lowering the deficit in the long term by reducing waste and fraud in our health care system, and provides more benefits to the American people."
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR): "In Oregon, where 270 people lose their health care every day, inaction on health insurance reform has never been an option. Today we have laid the foundation for serious and necessary change. This bill will not only cover those without insurance, but it will lead to better, more affordable care for all Americans. After years of hard work, we have a health care bill that is stronger than I anticipated, and I will do all I can to keep it intact as we go through the legislative dance of negotiating with the Senate."
Representative Ron Kind (D-WI): “Comprehensive health care reform cannot wait. In order to ensure the sustainability of our health care system, we must provide stable, affordable, high quality health care to all Americans, regardless of health status or occupation, and in a way that is fiscally responsible. While I am still reading and studying the provisions of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, I know that it does not add one nickel to the national deficit."
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “With countless hours of hearings and mark-ups and more than 2,000 public health care events, this has been one of the most open and transparent debates in Congress. The bill Democrats are introducing today reflects Americans’ concerns about health care, and fixes a very broken system."
Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA): “Finding a uniquely American solution to ensuring that all Americans have access to meaningful, affordable health coverage has been a national goal for decades. Action is both a moral and economic imperative for our nation."
Representative Bob Etheridge (D-NC): “There is a crisis in our health care system, and today’s bill is a positive step towards resolving that crisis and a key to job creation in the United States. I look forward to carefully reviewing this legislation to ensure it protects seniors, controls costs, assures quality of care and preserves individual choices for North Carolinians."
Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA): “I am proud that for the first time in our history, all Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care under health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats today," said Sánchez. “But I am most pleased that insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against women on the basis of gender."
Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY): “Today’s announcement on the compromise health insurance reform bill in the House of Representatives is decades in the making and will begin to provide all Americans access to affordable health care. Mounting health insurance costs are breaking businesses and bankrupting families. With local insurance companies announcing double digit increases next year and rates expected to cost families $24,000 annually in less than ten years, this change can’t come soon enough for hard working Western New Yorkers."
