Conrad Votes In Favor of Senate Health Reform Bill

Press Release

Conrad Votes In Favor of Senate Health Reform Bill

After more than a year and a half of development and debate, the United States Senate today passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, comprehensive legislation to reform America's health care system. Senator Kent Conrad voted in favor of the legislation saying it would reduce costs, expand coverage and provide assistance to help North Dakota's families and small businesses afford health insurance.

"America's health care system is in need of serious reform. Skyrocketing costs are putting enormous pressure on families and businesses in North Dakota and across the nation," Senator Conrad said. "Continuing the status quo is not an option. America can do better. And this bill proves it."

The Senate bill -- approved by a vote of 60 - 39 -- will expand access to quality, affordable health care to more than 30 million additional Americans and cut the budget deficit by $130 billion over the first 10 years and between $650 billion and $1.3 trillion in the next decade. It stops unfair insurance industry practices that deny individuals coverage based on preexisting conditions or drop them because they got sick.

In addition, the bill contains the Frontier State Amendment, a provision authored by Senator Conrad and Senator Byron Dorgan that dramatically increases Medicare reimbursement rates for North Dakota's health care providers. The provision will result in an additional $52 million a year for North Dakota's hospitals and more than $16 million a year for the state's doctors, strengthening the Medicare program for North Dakota's senior citizens.

Senator Conrad also noted that the Senate bill:

* Is fully paid for and reduces the nation's deficit and debt in both the short and long term.
* Includes his co-op proposal, a private non-profit health care insurance option to compete with for-profit insurers and provide additional choices for affordable care.
* Sets new rules to stop unfair insurance industry practices.
* Begins to reshape the health care delivery system by placing greater premiums on health care outcomes instead of compensating providers for the number of procedures performed.

Senator Conrad also made clear what is not in the Senate health reform bill. There is no government takeover of health care. No rationing of heath care. No cuts to guaranteed Medicare benefits. No benefits to illegal immigrants. And the legislation includes strict limitations to prevent taxpayer funding for abortions beyond what is in current law.

"We thank Senator Conrad for his support for health care reform, and for his commitment to closing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, which will help 57,465 Part D enrollees in North Dakota. This bill is an important step for our North Dakota members and millions of other Americans, bringing down the cost of prescription drugs, making health insurance more affordable and preventing insurers from denying coverage to those who need it most," said Janis Cheney, state director for AARP North Dakota.


"This bill is a reasonable and responsible approach to tackling one of the most serious challenges facing our nation," Senator Conrad said. "At the end of the day, this bill will provide more security and stability for North Dakota families."

Negotiators will now meet to resolve differences between the House and Senate bills. The legislation they produce must go before both bodies for final passage to be sent to the President to be signed into law.

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