U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek Hails Historic Vote to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans

Affordable Health Care for America Act Covers 96% of Americans, Reduces the Deficit

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek today voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, historic legislation that will provide needed insurance reforms for Americans with insurance, expand coverage for those who do not have insurance, lower costs for families and businesses, and begin to reduce the deficit.

"Today marks the culmination of generations of hard work and effort by those who have long sought access to quality, affordable health care. I am honored to be a part of this effort," said Congressman Kendrick Meek.

"I am particularly proud that this legislation will protect our seniors by immediately beginning to close the Medicare Part D ‘Donut Hole' and strengthen Medicare by preserving its solvency for years to come. Our efforts today will help small businesses grow by lowering costs and exempting small businesses with payrolls below $500,000 from the employer mandate," he added. 

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act will cover over 96% of Americans and put our nation on a path towards long-term fiscal stability.  With over 3,500 Floridians losing their health insurance each week, this legislation will help stem our state's epidemic of the uninsured. The time came for Congress to act, and we delivered on our promise to the American people."

In an editorial supporting healthcare reform, The Miami Herald wrote, "There's good reason to support it -- no significant reform can be accomplished without some version of a public option."  The St. Petersburg Times editorial board concluded, "The House will cover more uninsured and better regulate the private insurance market. The House should pass its bill and keep building the momentum."

The legislation will ensure affordability for workers and middle-class families, security for seniors with a stronger, more solvent Medicare program, and a healthy fiscal future. Whether you currently have health insurance or not, health care reform offers Americans the peace of mind of always having access to quality, affordable healthcare that can't be denied. Specifically, the legislation will:

• Provide stability and security for those with health insurance by not requiring you to change your coverage or your doctor, instituting significant new consumer protections, and strengthening Medicare for seniors, in part by closing the ‘Donut Hole'.
  
• Offer quality, affordable choices for all Americans who don't have insurance by creating a new health insurance exchange with a Public Option and providing affordability credits to help Americans buy insurance.
  
• Help small businesses afford health coverage for their employees by limiting premium increases if your workforce gets sick and providing tax credits to help small businesses who choose to buy insurance.

Other notable components of the legislation include:

• Ending discrimination for pre-existing conditions;
• Outlawing insurance companies from dropping your coverage because of sickness;
• Ending co-pays for preventive and wellness care;
• Instituting annual caps on out-of-pocket expenses;
• Eliminating yearly or lifetime cost caps on what insurance companies cover;
• Reining in health costs for families, businesses, and government;
• Eliminating waste, fraud, and insurance overpayments to private insurance companies; and
• Incentivizing innovation, wellness, and prevention.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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