WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu issued the following statement after joining the majority of the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive health care legislation:

”This is a historic day.  This legislation will stand beside Social Security, the GI Bill, and Medicare as a pillar of American health care and humane values.

“The vast majority of Americans already have health insurance.  I voted for this bill because, in addition to covering millions more Americans, it will increase security and stability for those who already have health insurance.

“Thanks to this bill, an insurance company will no longer be allowed to deny you coverage or jacks up your rates because of a pre-existing condition.  It will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick—or water it down when you need it most.

“Thanks to this bill, there will be a yearly limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses—because no one should go broke because they get sick.  Insurance companies will no longer be able to place an arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you receive in a given year or in a lifetime.

“Health care is both a fundamental need and one sixth of our nation’s economy.  This bill will be a boon to our economic health because improving our health care system will also help our businesses grow.  By reducing important uncertainties in people’s lives, we will allow more entrepreneurial activity.  People will be more willing to take business risks when they know that important needs like health care are taken care of.  

“Americans should not have to wait any longer for these vital reforms.  I am eager to see the Senate pass their health care reform bill so that we can all come together and work out a bill that President Obama can sign into law.”