Rep. Foster Statement On Voting Yes On Health Insurance Reform Legislation

Statement

Rep. Foster Statement On Voting Yes On Health Insurance Reform Legislation

Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) voted to pass H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act. The vote passed the House by a vote of 220-215. After the vote, Foster released the following statement.

"After holding more than 150 events and meetings with constituents on the topic of health insurance reform, and after spending nearly 50 hours reading and carefully studying this bill, today I voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act because this legislation, while not perfect, included many of the principles that I believe to be critical in improving how Americans receive health insurance.

For example, I am pleased that the bill gets rid of pre-existing conditions and lifetime limits on insurance coverage, begins to bring down insurance costs, and protects and strengthens Medicare -- particularly by closing the donut hole in Medicare Part D over time. Not only is the bill paid for, it will reduce the deficit.

However, I do have some concerns about provisions of H.R. 3962. It contains a public option, which I support; however, the public option in this bill still does not compete on a completely level playing field since its borrowing interest rate will be less than that of a private insurance company. In addition, I have concerns with some of the details about how small businesses are dealt with in the legislation.

On balance, I had to take an up or down vote on this bill, and the benefits to families across the 14th district far outweigh those concerns."

Source