WASHINGTON- U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, announced today that she has reviewed, and intends to vote for, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) saying the legislation would provide quality affordable health care to central Ohioans without adding to the deficit.
Explaining her support, Kilroy stated, "I promised my constituents that I would carefully read and analyze any piece of health care legislation before I took a stance on a bill. I support the Affordable Health Care for America Act because it would provide coverage to the uninsured, close the Medicare Part D donut hole, reduce health care costs for small businesses in central Ohio and give people the peace of mind that their health insurance cannot be taken away from them.”
From February to October, Congresswoman Kilroy held more than 20 health care events so that she could work with her constituents and bring their needs and concerns to Washington. Ideas like portability and increasing the number of years that children can remain on their parents’ health insurance plans were added to the Affordable Health Care for America Act as a result of such events. Kilroy placed both H.R. 3200 and H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, as well as numerous updates about health reform on her website so that her constituents could have access to the most up to date information as possible, and be able to offer her their thoughts on the legislation.
“Nearly everyone agrees that our current health care system is flawed. Some have suggested eliminating private insurance, and replacing it with a government-run system, while others want to eliminate our employer-based system and replace it with tax credits. I have met with both sides of the issue, and I advocate that we find common ground from which we can build. The Affordable Health Care for America Act is far from perfect, but it makes significant improvements on the original health care bill and includes specific additions that my constituents in Ohio said they wanted in health insurance reform."
“Because I value transparency and accountability in government, I posted each health care bill on my website so that Ohioans back home could read along with me and contact me with their questions or concerns,” said Kilroy. “I also promised my constituents that I would not vote for any health care legislation that would add to the current deficit, and I am happy to announce that the Affordable Health Care for America Act will reduce the deficit by $30 billion over ten years.”
Kilroy also noted that the bill would end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.
“We cannot sit back and accept the status quo. I know that there are millions of people, like myself, who have a pre-existing condition. If they try to buy an individual policy they are denied coverage. This bill will finally end that discrimination,” said Kilroy.
Kilroy joins numerous groups in support of the Affordable Health Care for America Act including the AARP, the American Cancer Society Action Network, the American Medical Association, and the publisher of Consumer Reports.
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