Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

"Like most Vermonters, I believe affordable access to quality health care is a fundamental right of all Americans. My work on this critical issue -- in Vermont and now in Congress -- has long been guided by three principles: everybody must be covered, everybody must contribute based upon his or her ability to pay, and coverage need not be related to employment. Though we made great progress in 2010 improving our health care system, I will continue to fight to reduce costs, increase quality of care and expand access."

Congressman Welch:

*Supported passage of historic legislation (H.R. 3962) to provide health care stability, security and affordability to all Americans. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will extend access to 36 million people, end abusive insurance company practices like denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, help small businesses afford employee coverage, and put patient care above profits.

*Brought Vermont's innovative health care initiatives to the national debate by successfully amending health care reform legislation to include versions of Vermont's Blueprint for Health and Dartmouth research advocating for Accountable Care Organizations.

*Worked to improve health care reform legislation by supporting amendments that would create a strong public health insurance option; allow young people under the age of 26 to remain on their parents' health plans; require the federal government to negotiate Medicare drug costs with the pharmaceutical industry; and end the insurance industry's exemption from anti-trust laws.

*Cosponsored the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (H.R. 676), which would create a national single-payer health care system. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Welch and New York Congressman Anthony Weiner led the charge to amend health care reform legislation to implement a single-payer system

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