Latest Press Releases

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Releases Statement in Honor of Veterans Day

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day:

Released on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 09:00 AM

Organizing for America Will Hold ‘Thank You’ Activities for the US House’s Support of Health Insurance Reform

Washington – The House of Representatives passed landmark health reform legislation on Saturday, marking a milestone in the effort to pass comprehensive reform this year. As representatives return to their districts, Organizing for America (OFA) volunteers will be hosting “thank you” activities to thank their Representatives for supporting health insurance reform.

Released on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 02:39 PM

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement Praising the House of Representative’s Historic Vote to Pass Health Insurance Reform

Tonight the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, landmark health reform legislation that will ensure every American has access to quality, affordable, stable and secure health care coverage. The legislation, which cracks down on some of the insurance industry’s worst practices, would extend coverage to 36 million Americans and cut the deficit by $104 billion over ten years. Groups representing doctors and farmers, seniors, consumers, and cancer patients have endorsed the bill. It passed the House with only one Republican vote in support of the measure.

Released on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 02:10 PM

DNC Vice Chair Wasserman Schultz Calls GOP Plan “Health Insurance Company Protection Act,” Calls Republican Online Town Hall a Media Stunt, Desperate Attempt to Distract From Bill That Benefits Insurance Companies and Fails to Make a Dent in the Un

Washington- DNC Vice Chair and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) today issued the following statement in advance of House Republicans’ online health care town hall where they plan to discuss their health reform proposal which does more to help insurance companies than it does to help the American people. The bill would not curb unfair insurance industry practices like denying people coverage because of a pre-existing condition. In fact, the House Republican bill would put families at risk by giving insurance companies more power to discriminate against patients while accumulating record profits. And, according to the Congressional Budget Office the Republican bill would only cover three million of the tens of millions who are currently uninsured.

Released on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 02:41 PM

DNC Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Calls House GOP Health Care Plan the "Health Insurance Company Protection Act"

Washington, D.C.—DNC Vice Chair and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) today issued the following statement in response to the news that Congressional Republicans are planning to introduce what she said amounts to a “Health Insurance Company Protection Act.” Wasserman Schultz said the GOP plan, as it has been characterized in press reports, would allow health insurance companies to continue engaging in unfair and discriminatory practices like denying coverage to people because of a preexisting medical condition and dropping coverage for people who are sick.

Released on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 02:42 PM

DNC Calls Out Sarah Palin for Her Lies on Health Insurance Reform in its Seventh Installment of the Call 'Em Out Campaign

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) launched the seventh installment of its ongoing “Call 'Em Out” campaign with a multimedia effort targeting Sarah Palin for continuing to spread lies about health insurance reform. The effort uses email, a website, a video, Facebook and Twitter to demonstrate that instead of participating in an honest exchange on health insurance reform, Palin has resorted to spreading misinformation and outlandish lies including everything from invoking "death panels" to "rationing." More than previous Call 'Em Out efforts, the campaign targeting Palin's lies is relying heavily on reaching people on Facebook where Palin has repeatedly peddled misinformation about health insurance reform.

Released on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 02:44 PM

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine’s Statement On The Affordable Health Care For America Act

WASHINGTON – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer and other Democratic Congressional leaders unveiled their version of health insurance reform legislation: the Affordable Health Care for America Act. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would cost $894 billion over 10 years and extend insurance coverage to 36 million Americans. It is expected to cut the deficit by $30 billion in the first 10 years. “Today, thanks to the outstanding work of Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman, Miller and Rangel and countless others in the U.S. House of Representatives, we have achieved another critical milestone on the road to passing health insurance reform this year. “The Affordable Health Care for America Act achieves the goals set out by President Obama earlier this year. It will provide Americans with insurance with more security and stability by making critical reforms to the insurance industry -- insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition or cancel someone’s coverage when they get sick. This legislation will provide the uninsured more quality, affordable choices, extending coverage to 96 percent of all Americans. It also includes the choice of a public health insurance option, which is the best way to ensure choice and competition in the market. And it will bring down the skyrocketing costs of care without adding a dime to our deficits. The bill is fully paid for up front and it will actually cut the deficit by $30 billion in its first 10 years. “There is still much work ahead, but today’s announcement is another testament to President Obama’s extraordinary leadership on this issue. Despite the millions upon millions spent by insurance industry lobbyists in an effort to kill reform and near unanimous opposition to reform by Congressional Republicans, Democrats have been undeterred in their efforts. We will continue to stand for the American people and finally pass health insurance reform this year.”

Released on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 02:43 PM

DNC LAUNCHES FIFTH IN “CALL EM OUT” SERIES, CALLS OUT INSURANCE LOBBY FOR BOGUS AND MISLEADING ATTACK ON HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

Washington, D.C. - The Democratic National Committee (DNC) today announced the fifth installment in its “Call ‘Em Out” series targeting individuals and organizations that actively mislead the public on aspects of the President’s agenda. The latest “Call ‘Em Out” effort takes the insurance industry to task for putting profits before patients and lying about reform - most recently by issuing a bogus report on the Senate Finance Committee's bill that the AARP said was not “worth the paper it’s written on” and that numerous nonpartisan sources have debunked.

Released on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 02:47 PM

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement Following Senate Finance Committee’s Vote to Pass

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the Senate Finance Committee voted out of committee their version of health insurance reform legislation. The vote won bi-partisan support, with Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine voting to pass the bill out of committee.

Released on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 03:22 PM

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement Following Senate Finance Committee’s Vote to Pass Health Insurance Reform

Washington – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the Senate Finance Committee voted out of committee their version of health insurance reform legislation. The vote won bi-partisan support, with Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine voting to pass the bill out of committee. “Today’s action by the Senate Finance Committee represents a big step forward towards the enactment of comprehensive health insurance reform. “I want to commend Chairman Baucus for his leadership and thank all the Democrats on the committee for their tireless work to incorporate the best ideas from both sides of the aisle. Last week, we began to see the fruits of that labor as prominent leaders from outside Washington – including former Bush Administration Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Bill Frist, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent – came out in favor of reform. Senator Snowe’s decision to support the Finance Committee’s legislation, because “the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress to demonstrate its capacity to solve the monumental issues of our time,” brings a renewed sense of momentum to the cause. “We have been debating health reform for generations. Now, after nearly a year of intense study and deliberation, five Congressional committees have given us a strong framework to keep making progress. There is still much work ahead, and we know insurance industry lobbyists and their friends in Congress will do everything within their power to kill reform and maintain the status quo. But we are closer than ever before to enacting reform that achieves President Obama’s goals of providing more security and stability to people who have insurance, more quality, affordable choices for those who don’t and reining in the high costs of health care for American families, businesses and our government. “Thanks to President Obama’s strong vision and commitment, and the commitment of like-minded Members of Congress, we are going to deliver health insurance reform to the American people this year. Inaction is not an option.”

Released on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 02:46 PM