Pelosi Delivers Comprehensive Health Care Reform

President Obama achieves goal of Democratic presidents dating back to Harry Truman.

Under the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrats in Congress approved sweeping health care reform Sunday, providing medical coverage to millions of Americans. "With this action tonight, with this health care reform, 32 million more Americans will have health care insurance," Pelosi said on the House floor immediately before the final vote. "And those who have insurance now will be spared being at the mercy of the health insurance industry," Pelosi added.

The legislation, which was opposed by every Republican in Congress, will:

>> Extend health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured persons, assuring coverage for 95 percent of Americans;

>> Ensure that coverage is affordable by providing substantial subsidies for middle income families;

>> Implement insurance market reforms to outlaw abusive practices by insurance companies, such as denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions;

>> Provide assistance to employers and VEBAs to encourage them to continue coverage for pre-Medicare retirees;

>>Close the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" that costs our seniors hundreds or even thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs; and

>> Reduce costs for individuals and businesses by eliminating most uncompensated care, reforming the delivery and provider payment systems, and creating exchanges to facilitate coverage in a cost-effective manner.

President Obama and Congressional Democrats have accomplished something that has eluded Presidents, Congress and the American people for decades, " said Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "After a year of hard work, we have passed health insurance reform. We owe great thanks to the President, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and their leadership teams."

Democratic leaders say the measure will allow the American people and not insurance companies to have control over their own health care. "The passage of reform today is a monumental accomplishment," Kaine added. "This historic legislation is further evidence of the change President Obama has been able to bring about. It is a symbol of what the Democratic Party stands for -- relief for middle class Americans, fighting unfair business practices, and helping people live happier, healthier lives."

In a speech to the American people immediately after passage of the bill, President Obama remarked, "At a time when the pundits said it was not longer possible, we rose above the weight of our politics…. We proved we are a people capable of doing big things who can tackle our biggest challenges." Also last night, in a letter to supporters, the President said, "We´ll finally start reducing the cost of [health] care – creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children."

Passage of the health care bill comes after President Obama and Congress worked together for over a year to craft legislation that appeals to a wide cross section of Americans. During and after the election, the President made health care his signature issue and with its passage, he has secured his place in history and fulfilled a major campaign promise of central concern to the American people.