Perlmutter Votes For Health Insurance Reform: "Too Much Is At Stake"

Statement

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), voted in favor of comprehensive health insurance reform. Below is a statement from Congressman Perlmutter:

"I am proud to cast this historic vote. For too long, people with preexisting conditions, like my daughter Alexis, were denied coverage or discriminated against by being priced out of the insurance market. It is unconstitutional, immoral and today we said enough and put an end to this practice.

Too much is at stake for thousands of people, families and small businesses in the 7th CD, and we took the necessary first steps to making quality, reasonably priced health care accessible to more people for less cost. There is still work to be done, and I am committed to continuing this work. But "No' is not an option. The status quo is not the answer.

At Government in the Grocery and throughout our neighborhoods in my district, I've heard from thousands of my constituents who told me we cannot wait any longer.

This legislation guarantees 16,800 residents of the 7th CD who have pre-existing conditions obtain coverage. It reduces the deficit by more than $130 billion. It provides insurance coverage for 95% of Americans, including 94,000 uninsured residents in the 7th CD. And it gives tax credits and other credits to 160,000 families and 17,500 small businesses to help them afford insurance coverage.

For more than four decades we've been talking about how to provide affordable access to quality health care to all Americans without discrimination. Today, we finally stopped talking and took action.

I recognize and appreciate the different opinion on these complex issues. But we have to move forward to find effective ways for Americans to live healthy lives so our economy can grow and our nation can prosper again."

Source