| I want to congratulate the chairmen of the three House committees for releasing this draft bill today – a proposal that takes us one step closer to our goal of providing quality, affordable and comprehensive health care for all.
The American public wants the peace of mind of knowing that getting sick or injured won’t result in financial catastrophe – and this proposal gives them that security. They also want more choice – to stay in their current plan if they like it and new options if they are uninsured or cannot find affordable coverage. Again, this bill delivers what Americans want. By including a robust public health insurance option, we will ensure more choice, more competition, and greater savings. It is an essential component for meaningful reform and must be included in the final bill we send to President Obama next fall.
This draft legislation will do much to improve health care in America – from eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions to promoting prevention and wellness to lowering drug costs for seniors and persons with disabilities on Medicare.
As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that will consider this bill in the coming weeks, I will do whatever I can to ensure that we act this year and deliver the health care reforms that my constituents expect and desperately need.
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