FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 22, 2010
BISHOP JOINS MAJORITY TO PASS HISTORIC HEALTH CARE REFORM
Legislation will have immediate benefits for Long Island families
March 22, 2010 Washington, DC – Last night, Congressman Tim Bishop voted to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care they can count on.
The House of Representatives passed landmark legislation to reform the nation’s health care system, which will stop insurance company abuses, reduce the deficit, rein in health costs for families and small businesses, strengthen Medicare, and expand quality health coverage to 32 million Americans who cannot afford it now.
In New York’s 1st Congressional District alone, 24,000 uninsured individuals will get coverage, 97,000 families will receive tax credits to defray the cost of coverage, 20,000 businesses will receive tax credits to provide their employees with coverage, and 49,000 young adults will be able to remain on their parents’ policies.
“Today, I voted to put families and doctors in charge of health care choices by stopping some of the worst practices of insurance companies, like denying you coverage because of a pre-existing condition, dropping your coverage when you get sick, or arbitrarily hiking up your premiums,” Congressman Bishop said after the House voted.
“I’m proud of my vote for legislation that will stand with Social Security and Medicare as a landmark in guaranteeing a decent life for all American citizens. We have all experienced or know someone who has been denied coverage or put off care. We have all seen health care premiums skyrocket while wages have stagnated for years. Today, we did something about it.”
The legislation takes several important steps to lower costs and make coverage more affordable. It includes tort reform measures, holds insurance companies accountable for keeping down premiums, prevents denials of care and coverage for pre-existing conditions, and will create a health care insurance marketplace that will give millions of Americans the options enjoyed by all federal employees today, including Members of Congress.
The legislation will also strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by nine years, which is why it received the support of AARP and other senior advocacy groups including the National Council on Aging and the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
There are a number of benefits that will begin immediately, which Congressman Bishop wants to help constituents take advantage of. The legislation:
– Would give a one-time, $250 rebate to seniors who enter the donut hole in 2010 to help defray the cost of their drugs in the coverage gap in 2010. Phases in additional discounts for brand name and generic drugs starting in 2011 and leading to complete closure of the donut hole by 2020.
-Provides free preventative services for Medicare beneficiaries.
-Helps those who are currently uninsured because of a pre-existing condition enter the temporary high-risk pool.-Extends coverage to young people, allowing them to remain on their parents’ insurance policy until their 26th birthday.
-Helps small businesses that provide coverage to their employees take advantage of a tax credit of up to 35% of premiums.-Creates a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64.-Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage.
-Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals.
The House passed the Senate version of health insurance reform legislation by a vote of 219 to 212. That bill now goes to the President for his signature into law. A second bill, to improve the Senate bill, passed by a vote of 220 to 211 and goes to the Senate. Congressman Bishop voted for both.
In January, Congressman Bishop sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi announcing his intention to vote against the Senate bill should it come to the House floor for a stand alone vote. “Because I and other members said we would not simply pass the Senate bill, we were able to secure a number of improvements, especially regarding the impact of the tax on high-cost health plans, Medicaid reimbursements for New York and eliminating unsavory deals for states like Nebraska,” Congressman Bishop said. “I’ve heard it said, and I agree, that the last perfect piece of legislation was handed down from a mountaintop on two stone tablets. But through this process we removed deal-breakers for me and have achieved historic reform for our nation.”
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Note: the attached PDF document outlines specific ways in which the legislation will benefit the First Congressional District of New York, as prepared by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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