Americans Will Enjoy More Stability and Security in Health Coverage

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network issued the following press release today responding to the passage of the Senate health reform bill in the U.S. House last night:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chris Lilienthal, 717-255-7156 or 717-829-4823, lilienthal@pennbpc.org

Americans Will Enjoy More Stability and Security in Health Coverage

HARRISBURG, PA (March 22, 2010) - Americans will enjoy more security and stability in their health coverage as a result of historic reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Sunday.
 
"Health care is better in Pennsylvania and across our nation today," said Antoinette Kraus, an organizer for the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. "We have kept what is good in our health system and fixed what was not. We have built on our health care system so that all people can have peace of mind in their health coverage.
 
"For those who have health coverage, you will keep your doctor, but no longer have to worry about being denied care for a pre-existing condition or dropped when you get sick. Members of Congress will be required to be in the same plans as millions of Americans and small businesses. We will all get the same choices. What is good for them will be good for us."
 
Tax credits and other assistance will make health insurance more affordable for uninsured families and small businesses that have struggled in recent years to insure their hard-working employees.
 
Reform will also end the worst insurance abuses we have seen over the years, said Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and a member of PHAN.
 
"Pre-existing conditions are headed for extinction," Ward said. "No longer will you face a hidden ceiling on your coverage or lose your insurance when you get sick. People won't have to live in fear of being one illness away from bankruptcy."
 
"Someday our children will look back and ask why there was ever any question about these reforms," Ward added.
 
Pennsylvanians with insurance and those without will see real benefits as a result of this legislation:

• 8.1 million residents who have health care coverage through an employer or purchase it themselves will be better protected against insurance company abuses.
• 3 million families will have access to tax credits and other assistance to help reduce the cost of their health care premiums.
• 2.2 million senior citizens will have improved Medicare and pay less in prescription drug costs.
• 262,800 small businesses will be eligible for tax credits to help pay the cost of health care for their employees.
• 143,600 residents with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage.

View one-pagers on benefits of health reform for each of Pennsylvania's 19 Congressional Districts.

"For the faith community, health reform is about saving lives and ensuring all people have access to needed medical care," said Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania and a member of PHAN. "No longer will lack of health care or denied coverage take a terrible toll on families, women, children and the poor. No longer will sick people have to delay needed medical care and risk an early death."