Lincoln: Time to Move On to Implementation of Historic Law

Statement

Lincoln: Time to Move On to Implementation of Historic Law

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln made the following statement following Senate adoption of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act:

"I am proud to have worked for nearly two years to help craft and pass the Senate Health Insurance Reform Plan that I watched the President sign into law on Tuesday," Lincoln said. "While not a perfect bill, the Senate plan represents a delicate balance of insurance reform, Medicare protections, deficit reduction measures and assistance to small businesses. The plan underwent a thorough, transparent debate. The original proposal was first available for public inspection on November 21, 2009, and debated and amended on the Senate floor until its final passage on December 24.

"My opposition today to the package of amendments sent over by the House was that it did not undergo the same scrutiny and transparency as the Senate health bill that is now law. This vote does not hinder my commitment to ensuring that implementation of health care reform helps Arkansas working families and small businesses to the fullest.

"This new law will reduce costs for small business owners and the self-employed so they can reinvest their savings in their companies and hire more workers. It will force insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions, preserve Medicare for future generations and reduce the deficit by more than one trillion dollars over the next 20 years."

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