Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today voted for H.R. 3962, the “Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009,” historic health care reform legislation to reform the nation’s health insurance system and ensure quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The deficit-neutral legislation will bring health care coverage to 209,000 uninsured Americans in the 28th congressional district of Texas and will provide coverage to 4.4 million uninsured Texans.

“This vote was a once in a lifetime opportunity to build upon the premise that all Americans are created equal and would ensure that every American is worthy of access to quality affordable health care,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This historic unprecedented plan is built on a fundamental premise that all Americans should be treated with dignity when securing their health. No American should live without health care choices or live on the brink of a health care crisis.”

The “Affordable Health Care for America Act” would provide coverage to 96% of Americans through private health insurance reforms, an expansion of Medicaid, affordability credits and the creation of a national health insurance exchange. The deficit-neutral legislation costs $894 billion, $400 billion less than the original House health care reform plan introduced this July.

Congressman Cuellar secured two major amendments in the final bill, including protecting state tort reform laws from federal preemption and ensuring that all new health care agencies created under the bill are efficient and held accountable. This week, the Texas Medical Association applauded Congressman Cuellar’s provision to protect Texas’ strong medical liability laws.

“I decided to vote in favor of this historic legislation because it preserves what works and improves upon what doesn’t,” said Congressman Cuellar. “One third of my district is uninsured, meaning that there are over two hundred thousand reasons why we need immediate health care reform today.”

The House health care reform plan would prohibit private health insurance companies from denying coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions, and would also cap annual out of pocket medical expenses at $5,000 per individual and $10,000 per family. The plan would also provide affordability credits to low and moderate income individuals and families, and includes a voluntary public health insurance option in which the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates 2% of Americans would enroll.

“Congress created Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to provide options for Americans who would otherwise have slim to none,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These government programs are vital to those who rely on them and thus ‘government takeover’ claims are fabrications to evoke fear.”

The plan passed by the House late Saturday by a vote of 220-215 and significantly strengthens Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, it closes the Medicare Part D “Donut hole” for seniors by 2019 and eliminates cost-sharing for preventive care services. The bill also expands Medicaid to individuals and families with incomes at or below 150% percent of the federal poverty line, recognizing the hardships families face in these tough economic times.

“This transformative, landmark bill is one of the most important votes this Congress will ever take,” said Congressman Cuellar. “A champion for health care, Senator Ted Kennedy once called health care reform the great unfinished business of our country. Today, we are one giant step closer to finishing the job.”

The 28th District of Texas would significantly benefit by the “Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009”:

Coverage of the Uninsured: There are 267,000 uninsured individuals in the 28th district, (34% of the district’s population). The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nationwide, 96% of all Americans will receive insurance coverage under this plan. If this benchmark is reached, 209,000 people who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage under H.R. 3962.

Strengthening Medicare: There are 94,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the 28th district. The health care reform legislation improves Medicare by providing free preventive and wellness care, improving primary and coordinated care, improving nursing home quality and strengthening the Medicare Trust Fund.

Help for Small Businesses: Under the legislation, businesses with up to 100 employees will be able to join the health insurance exchange, benefitting from lowered group rates and a greater choice of insurers. There are 14,200 small businesses in the 28th district that will be able to join the health insurance exchange.

Help for Seniors: Each year, 5,800 seniors in the 28th district experience the Medicare Part D “donut hole” and are forced to pay their full prescription drug costs. This legislation would provide them with immediate relief, cutting brand name drug costs in the donut hole by 50%, and ultimately eliminate the donut hole by 2019.

Health Care and Financial Security: In 2008, there were 600 health care-related bankruptcies in the 28th district in 2008, caused primarily by the health care costs not covered by private insurance. This bill caps annual out-of-pocket expenses at $5,000 for single individuals and $10,000 per year for families, ensuring that no citizen will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs.

To learn more about H.R. 3962, please visit:  /Issues/Issue/?IssueID=3834

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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.