White House Highlights Affordable Health Care for America Act
On Thursday, October 29th, Speaker Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders, Committee Chairs, Members of Congress and Americans who are struggling under the current health care system held a rally on the West Front of the Capitol to unveil the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).
It’s no secret that institutions of all stripes focus their communications on certain messages day to day.
Talking Points: Introduction of the Affordable Health Care for America Act
- The introduction of the Affordable Health Care for America Act is another critical milestone in the effort to bring about reform that will provide stability and security for Americans with insurance, affordable options for those without insurance, and lower costs for American families, businesses, and the nation as a whole.
- This legislation is the product of unprecedented cooperation and countless hours of hard work by Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman, Rangel, and Miller, Congressman Dingell, and scores of House members who share the conviction that we can’t wait another year for health insurance reform.
- The House legislation includes critical reforms to the insurance industry, so that Americans will no longer have to worry that they will be denied coverage, or that their coverage will be dropped or watered down when they need it most.
- It also includes a public option that competes with private insurers, which the President has repeatedly said he believes is the best way to ensure choice and competition that are so badly needed in today’s market.
- Finally, it is fully paid for and will reduce the deficit in the long term.
- This is an historic step forward and we are confident that members will continue to work together to deliver meaningful reform for America’s families and businesses.
The three panels with jurisdiction over health policy in the House have been working together as one committee to develop a single bill that fulfills President Obama’s goals of reducing health care costs, protecting and increasing consumers’ choices, and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
On July 14, 2009, House Democrats introduced the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 and on July 17th, the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee approved the health insurance reform legislation. On July 31st, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed the legislation out of committee.
House leadership and Tri-Committee Members have worked together with Members to prepare the legislation for the House floor, ensuring that the principles of reducing health care costs, protecting and increasing consumers’ choices, and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans are met.
Without reform, the cost of health care for the average family of four is projected to rise $1,800 every year for years to come—and insurance companies will make more health care decisions.
America’s middle class deserves better. Here’s what America’s Affordable Health Choices Act means for you:
LOWER COSTS
- No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care
- No more rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation
- An annual cap on your out-of-pocket expenses
- Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan
- Guaranteed, affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for your kids
GREATER CHOICE
- Keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them
- More choice, with a high quality public health insurance option competing with private insurers
HIGHER QUALITY
- You and your doctors make health care decisions — not insurance companies
- More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, helping guarantee access
- Mental health care must be covered
STABILITY & PEACE OF MIND
- No more coverage denials for pre-existing conditions
- No more lifetime limits on how much insurance companies will pay
- No reason to ever make a job or life decision again based on health care coverage
Supporting bill description: “The Affordable Health Care for America Act,” Speaker.gov
Topics: affordable health care, Congress, Governance, health care, Health Care, Health Care for America Act, Health Insurance Reform, security, stability, U.S., United States, White House
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