On Thursday October 29th, the House of Representatives introduced a new, blended health insurance reform bill, namely H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Just like all pieces of legislation, I thoroughly read and analyzed H.R. 3962 before I voted in favor of it on November 7th.
Although H.R. 3962 has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, we still have a long way to go until the President signs a comprehensive health insurance bill into law. As your Representative, it is my responsibility to listen to your input regarding this critical piece of legislation.
I have held many health care meetings with constituents from central Ohio so that I could bring your needs and concerns to Washington. Some 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 will many sides of the issue, and I advocate that we find common ground from which we can build. While H.R. 3200 is not perfect, it takes the critical step toward providing quality, affordable healthcare to all Americans while reducing the cost burden on central Ohio’s hardworking families and small businesses.
I have placed the full text of H.R. 3962 on this website. I will also update my site with the most up to date information about the H.R. 3962, and any other pieces of health reform legislation, so that you can stay informed and together we can find an American solution to the high costs and lack of accessibility in our current health care system.
Kilroy Announces Support of Affordable Health Care for America Act
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... …More
Important Additions to the Affordable Health Care for America Act
My constituents brought to my attention some important provisions that were not included in H.R. 3200. We have added some of these ideas into the Affordable Health Care for America Act. I have provided you with 5 critical provisions added to... …More
You Be the Judge
Since my health care listening tour began in April, my constituents have contacted me with many comments about health care reform. The “Affordable Health Care for America Act” improves upon the previous bill, H.R. 3200, by incorporating some of the suggestions... …More
Central Ohioans need help now!
Here are 14 critical provisions that will take effect immediately in the Affordable Health Care for America Act.1. Begins to close the Medicare Part D donut hole — Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on... …More
Affordable Health Care For America Act Update
Last night the House filed the Manager's Amendment to the Affordable Health Care For America Act. Members will have at least 72 hours to read this amendment. I have provided you with the link here: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_hr3962_dingell.pdf. ... …More
The Affordable Health Care for America Act : What’s in it for central Ohio?
The Affordable Health Care for America Act would directly benefit citizens in the 15th district. Here are some quick facts for you: 1. Better health care coverage: 453,000 of residents in the 15th district who already have employer-provided health insurance will... …More
Myth vs. Fact: Medicare Advantage
As the health reform debate continues, I want to be clear about some of the misinformation being spread by opponents of true, comprehensive health reform. America's Affordable Health Choices Act will not eliminate Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In fact, America's Affordable... …More
Strengthening the Nation’s Health Care Workforce
Our nation needs health reform so that all Americans, no matter where they live, or if they have pre-existing conditions, have the same access to quality, affordable care. Opponents of reform continue to spread misinformation like this nugget: "Reform will... …More
Health Reform: Beneficial to Medicare, Medicaid, and our Economy
Our national debt is something I am deeply concerned about. That is why I voted for a budget that will cut the deficit in half before the President’s first term in office is over. However, cutting our spending must rely... …More
Kilroy: Relief from Health Care Debt on the Way to Consumers
U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy submits the Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009 to wipe paid and settled debt incurred through health care from credit records WASHINGTON—Over 28 million Americans were harassed by debt collectors in 2007 because of health care... …More
Health Care for America's Seniors
Providing quality, affordable care to central Ohio’s seniors is one of my top priorities when it comes to health care reform. One problem many seniors have with the Medicare Part D program, is the “donut hole”, which causes seniors to lose coverage entirely for a portion of the year; administrative burdens that cause many low-income enrollees to miss out on benefits; and high drug prices that result from the inability of Part D plans to effectively negotiate with drug manufacturers. In fact each year, 6,100 seniors in the central Ohio hit the donut hole and are forced to pay their full drug costs, despite having Part D drug coverage. America’s Affordable Health Choices Act has a number of provisions designed to mitigate these problems. The legislation would provide seniors with immediate relief, by cutting brand name drug costs in the donut hole by 50%, providing $500 for seniors and ultimately eliminating the donut hole in the long term.
What are your experiences with the donut hole? Do you think that we need to reform the Medicare Part D program?
Best,
Mary Jo
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Health Reform and Small Businesses in Ohio's 15th
Health care reform would benefit the entire country, including small businesses in central Ohio. Reform will allow small businesses to create more jobs and keep coverage without worrying about constant rising premiums. In fact, up to 13,300 small businesses in the 15th District would qualify to receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees. In addition, small businesses with 25 employees or less and average wages of less than $40,000 would qualify for tax credits of up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance.
Ohio’s small businesses will also benefit from The Health Insurance Exchange which will allow individuals and businesses to comparison shop for coverage. It’s like an Orbitz or Travelocity for health care shopping. This Exchange will revolutionize health care choices and encourage competition on price and quality. If you run a small business and you’re looking to provide insurance for your employees, you’ll be able to choose a plan through this exchange. However, my colleagues and I in Congress recognize that many businesses want to continue providing their own health coverage as they do today. Therefore, the Exchange is simply a new option for those that are eligible – no business is required to enter.
Do you think this plan will help your small business? Tell me what you think!
Best,
Mary Jo
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Hope for the Uninsured
Health care reform will provide health care and financial security to over 90,000 uninsured individuals in the 15th district and will prevent more individuals from losing their insurance due to rising costs. Did you know that in the 15th District alone, there were 1,700 health care-related bankruptcies in 2008? The American solution to health care will provide health insurance for almost every American and will cap annual out-of-pocket costs at $10,000 per year, ensuring that no citizen will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs. Health care reform is about providing peace of mind for all Americans whether they have insurance or not. Health care reform will ensure that the people of central Ohio will never have to fear that they may lose their coverage if they become too sick, or lose or change their job.
Do you feel reassured knowing that you will always have health care no matter what happens? Tell me what you think!
Best,
Mary Jo
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Transparency is one of the things I value in government. It is why I voted against the leadership of my party to hold the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so everyone, Democrats and Republicans could read the bill. It is also why I sponsored the PROFIT Act this week, to make sure Treasury and the banks are not dealing between closed-doors.
I've also provided a few summaries below in case you want to get the information in a little shorter form.
I have told the leadership that posting this bill well before the vote is very important. I am reassured that Speaker Pelosi told the country this process will be transparent and not rushed.
Teletown Hall
Hosting a Teletown Hall tonight (6:30 pm-7:30 pm) to listen to your thoughts about health care reform! Break the beltway barrier and join in on the conversation! Call: 877-229-8493 and use the ID code: 14726 Looking forward to hearing from you! Best,... …More
Today, I spoke to a collection of Oncologists from across the country (including central Ohio!) about health care reform and my work to develop better clinical options for cancer patients and their families. Health care reform begins with driving costs down, but it also must include increasing the quality and boosting prevention. These compassionate doctors know screening and early detection is literally a life-saver. We can save lives and billions of dollars per year through early detection of all types of cancer.
Tell me how cancer has affected the lives of your family. Was more stress added to this difficult time because of insurance companies denying coverage?
Health Care and Small Businesses
Rising health care costs are putting small businesses in central Ohio at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. Now more than ever, many businesses are forced to choose between coverage and layoffs. Health care reform will relieve the strain... …More
Say NO to the Status Quo
The rising cost of health care needs to be addressed so that it does not continue to burden families in central Ohio. In the last decade the cost of health care for American families has skyrocketed – premiums have doubled... …More
Nurses are usually the first health care professional we see during a hospital trip or a doctor's visit. They are also the providers that look after our children in school preventing illness and serving students when they do get sick. Nurses take care of our parents and grandparents when the get older and need a little more help in long term care settings. These men and women know first hand the changes we need to make to keep costs down and provide better quality care.
That is why I met with nurses from throughout central Ohio on Monday to listen to their concerns, ideas and hopes for the future. I'll give you an update later in the week and hopefully some video that the great folks at Columbus State recorded for us!
We know two things about health care: It’s expensive and access to it is decreasing. I want my constituents to have the most accurate, and up to date statistics on health care so that you understand why health care reform is so important to the future of central Ohio’s families and businesses. Here are just some of the statistics, but I encourage you to follow this link which provides more reasons why we need to find a better solution to our current health care system.
Health Care’s Effect on Families:
In the past year, 53 percent of Americans say their household cut back on health care due to cost concerns.
Since 1987, the cost of the average family health insurance policy has risen from 7 percent of median family income to 17 percent.
Health Care’s Effect on Businesses:
·America’s small businesses are struggling to pay for health care, with small business premiums rising 129 percent since 2000.
·At least 46 million Americans are uninsured ‐ more than 85 percent of whom are in working families.
·52 percent of employers say that the current economic downturn will have an impact their health care programs in 2010.
·40 percent of small businesses said that health costs have had a negative impact on other parts of their business ie. high employee turnover and preventing business growth.
Health Care’s Effect on the Economy:
·Without any change, by 2018, health care spending will rise to $4.4 trillion – more than 1/5 of the economy.
·The United States now spends twice as much per capita on health care than almost any other industrialized nation.
·Without reform, the number of the uninsured will reach 61 million by 2020.
I came to Washington with health care as a priority. The problems we encountered with the economy were terrible and I knew, like President Obama, we had to address the immediate needs of Americans in crisis, while reinvesting in our future prosperity.
I knew health care had to be a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In February, I met with Dr. Kristina Lehman at her practice in Columbus. She had already invested in electronic medical records to save money and time. Both of us spoke on the undue burden paperwork presents to both patient and provider. The recovery package made a $19 billion commitment to accelerate adoption of Health Information Technology (HIT) systems by doctors and hospitals, in order to modernize the health care system, save billions of dollars, reduce medical errors and improve quality.
Three health centers in the Columbus area were also awarded grants from the recovery package. Expanding access to primary care will keep people healthy and reduce costs for everyone paying health care premiums. Our health care commitment in the recovery package will give community health centers the ability to see more patients and it will give patients the medical care they need.
These investments were stepping stones for health care and will help advance our reform. Have you had a good experience at one of our community health care centers? Tell me your story!
