House Speaker Pelosi’s Health Reform Bill Sets The Gold Standard For Health Reform This Year

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today unveiled her health reform bill that will be debated on the floor of the House of Representatives next month. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about this development:

“The House health insurance reform bill sets the gold standard for legislation that deserves to be adopted this year.

“The bill will provide America’s families with peace of mind. It does so by ensuring that affordable, high-quality health coverage and care will not be taken away from them, even when they get sick, have a pre-existing condition, or lose their jobs.

“Families USA especially lauds the House proposal because it makes health coverage affordable for families most in need. It does so by ensuring that Medicaid, a key safety net program, will become available for families with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level-approximately $33,000 in annual income for a family of four.

“The bill also provides needed subsidies so that health insurance premiums will be affordable for working families.

“We urge the House to adopt this bill as soon as possible. We will mobilize families across the country to secure final passage of the legislation this year.” – Families USA