Press Release
Statement: Congressman Cuellar Will Vote Yes on Health Care ReformHistoric health care reform plan is deficit neutral legislation to help hundreds of thousands in the 28th District of Texas
Washington,
November 7, 2009
|
Ashley Patterson
((202) 225-1640)
Tags:
Health Care
Congressman Cuellar releases a statement before voting in favor of health care reform.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today released this statement in advance of a health care reform vote anticipated to take place in the House this weekend:
“After several weeks of careful and thorough evaluation, and after several months of conversations with my constituents, I have decided to cast my vote in favor of this historic legislation. “I am voting yes because every American has a fundamental right to be treated with dignity when securing their health. No American should live without healthcare choices or live on the brink of a health care crisis. I am voting yes for this historic health care plan because it will improve coverage for those who have it and create choices for those who don’t. “This transformative, landmark bill is one of the most important votes this Congress will ever take. Senator Ted Kennedy once called health care reform ‘the great unfinished business of our country.’ Today, we are one step closer to finishing the job. “As I met with my constituents and asked questions about the cost, I never lost sight of the goal of health care reform. One in three people in my congressional district does not have health care coverage, and two out of three likely face rising premiums or rely on Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP or Veterans health care plans. For these reasons, I support this health care bill because it responds to the needs of all these constituents. Looking forward, it will bring health care security to 209,000 Americans in the 28th District of Texas and coverage to over 4.4 million uninsured Texans. “This bill is a dramatic improvement from the one introduced this July. This plan is a fiscally responsible solution to the state of our nation’s health care system. It provides coverage to 96% of Americans while reducing the federal deficit, cutting waste, fraud and abuse by bringing long overdue reforms. It also includes provisions I authored to protect tort reform laws in Texas and ensures that all new agencies created by this bill will be efficient and accountable. “This bill represents nearly one hundred years of work. It’s a historic, unprecedented plan to better the lives of all Americans. And this vote is a once in a lifetime opportunity to renew a promise that all Americans are created equal and that every American is worthy of access to quality affordable health care.” ### Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
|