DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement After House Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Health Insurance Reform Bill
For Immediate Release
July 31, 2009
Contact: DNC Press, 202-863-8148
DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement After
House Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Health Insurance Reform Bill
Hails Historic Progress, Says We are Closer Than Ever to Passing Reform
Washington - Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the House Energy & Commerce Committee passed its version of health insurance reform legislation.
"Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee took an incredibly important and historic step by passing its version of health insurance reform legislation. The committee's action marks significant progress and is another indicator of the momentum behind enacting comprehensive reform this year.
"As Congress prepares to leave Washington for the August recess, the fact that four out of the five Congressional committees working on reform have passed their versions of legislation - and that the fifth committee is continuing to make progress in a bipartisan way - is substantial. It means we are closer than ever to passing reform. What's more, all four bills passed so far are consistent with President Obama's principles for reform: each one will lower costs, guarantee choice, provide more security and stability for people who have insurance, and ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable care.
"The hard-fought consensus achieved in the Energy and Commerce Committee, and other key Congressional committees, means we are one step closer to finally providing consumers with the basic protections they deserve - where never again will someone be denied care because of a pre-existing condition or lose their insurance when they get sick.
"I want to congratulate Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Waxman and a diverse coalition of Democrats for this extraordinary achievement. I look forward to working with President Obama and our Democratic Congressional leaders in the coming weeks and months to enact comprehensive health insurance reform this year."
