Kind Puts Americans In Charge Of Their Health Care; Provides Stable, Affordable Coverage

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) voted to put Americans in charge of their health care decisions and provide stable, affordable coverage to those who have health care as well as expand coverage to 32 million Americans who do not.

"Today we take an important step to increase the quality of coverage for those who have insurance, expand affordable, quality care to the uninsured and protect consumers from unfair insurance practices, all while responsibly reducing the federal deficit over the next 10 years and beyond," said Rep. Kind. "This is reform that is long overdue."

Health care costs made up 18 percent of U.S. spending in 2009. Without health care reform, this was projected to reach 28 percent by 2030 and 34 percent by 2040.

"People across the district have shared with me their concerns with our current health care system. Our economy continues to suffer as Wisconsin families fall further into debt due to rising health care costs. Comprehensive health care reform could not wait."

The health care reform bill puts American families and small business owners--not the insurance companies--in control of their own health care. The bill makes health insurance affordable for individuals and small businesses through the creation of a competitive health insurance market that keeps costs down and is based on legislation authored by Rep. Kind. Reform holds insurance companies accountable to keep premiums down and prevent coverage denials, including for pre-existing conditions. In addition, passage of reform improves Medicare benefits, lowering prescription drug costs for those in the "donut hole,' providing for better chronic care, free preventive care, and nearly a decade more of solvency for Medicare. It does all this and reduces the deficit by $143 billion over next 10 years, and by $1.2 trillion more over the following decade; reining in waste, fraud and abuse, moving towards a system that pays for the quality of care over the quantity of care.

Passage of health care reform increases access to affordable, stable coverage for the 29,500 uninsured residents in the Third Congressional District and allows the 9,000 individuals in western Wisconsin with pre-existing conditions to get the coverage they are currently denied. Reform improves Medicare for 111,000 beneficiaries in the district. Health care reform also transforms our health care system into one that delivers higher quality care at a lower cost, eliminating waste in the system and increasing the quality of care for all Americans.

"Health care reform offers stability and security to families who are satisfied with their health insurance and provides choices for those who aren't. It provides increased access to stable care that is affordable for individuals, families, and businesses and ensures we reward the providers who are delivering the highest quality of care. Reform ensures the sustainability of our health care system and guarantees we do not leave a legacy of debt to our children."

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