Serrano Announces He Will Vote For Health Reform Bill

Statement

Today, Congressman José E. Serrano announced he plans to vote in favor of health care reform. Although Serrano has long supported a single-payer system and fought for a public option, he has come to the realization that this is the last chance to extend health care to millions of people and believes that in the final equation that is the most important thing.

"I am proud to announce today that I will be voting in favor of the health care reform package when it comes to the House floor," said Congressman Serrano. "This is one of the most important votes of my career, and I am humbled to be given the opportunity to help our nation take such a historic and meaningful step toward equality.

"I remain very troubled by the provisions that prevent the undocumented from buying their own insurance on the exchanges. This is an unnecessary provision. It has no place in a health care bill. I can vote for this bill with this provision in it for two reasons. First, without victory on this bill, immigration reform will not move forward. Secondly, when we do immigration reform, people who were excluded from health reform will become documented and later citizens, and therefore will no longer be excluded.

"I also looked at the benefits of this bill for my Bronx constituents. I have fought long and hard to ensure that they are able to lead healthy lives--whether it is working to clean the air that they breath or fighting for parks and open space for people to exercise and relax or even pushing for healthier food options. But voting in favor of this health reform bill is the biggest step we can take to ensure that Bronx residents live healthier lives."

Serrano highlighted the following statistics provided by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on what the health reform package means for the 16th Congressional District.

In Serrano's Congressional District the bill will:

* Improve coverage for 185,000 residents with health insurance.
* Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 201,000 families and 7,300 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
* Improve Medicare for 65,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.
* Extend coverage to 86,500 uninsured residents.
* Guarantee that 16,500 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
* Protect 600 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
* Allow 64,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents' insurance plans.
* Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 77 community health centers.
* Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $86 million annually.

"These statistics are much more than numbers," Serrano added. "They are literally the difference in some cases between life and death, between bankruptcy and financial stability, between food and health coverage. There are few words to describe the importance of passing this bill and extending these benefits to the American people. While opponents of health care reform have spent the past year scaring the American people about the content of the bill and its consequences; they are unable to argue with the fact that this bill will cure many of the problems of the current system. They have no better solutions--and their mantra of "kill the bill' is a shameful turn away from the incredible challenges that families face on a daily basis.

"I will be proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill and look forward to doing the same for comprehensive immigration reform in the near future. I will cast the vote knowing that we are taking another step in the long path toward equality of health care for all citizens--regardless of their economic situation. In passing this bill we are adding strength to America's promise and living up to its founding creed which states that we are all created equal."

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