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Posted: Sunday, 08 November 2009 7:55AM
Reactions to healthcare bill: 'Historic' to 'disappointing'
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CHICAGO (STNG) -- Chicago-area members of Congress have begun issuing statements on the Saturday night passage of the health care reform bill, H.R. 3962 -- and like the mainly partisan vote, the reactions have also fallen along party lines.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky said in a statement, "we are one step closer to lifting the burden of worrying about health care from all Americans. We made history today and are closer to reforming health insurance than we ever have been before."
Democrat Jesse Jackson, Jr. stated, "in passing this bill, we begin a new era in America. Gone will be the days when citizens go untreated, becoming sicker and sicker because they can't afford to see the doctor or get medicine. Gone will be the days when they can't get coverage because of a previous illness or condition. Gone will be the days when Americans are at risk of falling into poverty or going to an early grave because health care was delayed, dropped or denied."
Congressman Bobby Rush of Chicago said the bill "goes a long way toward eliminating many of the inequities in our nation’s health care system that I’ve fought against all my life. Chief among them is the denial of coverage to people, literally, because they are sick or because of what private insurers refer to as a 'pre-existing condition. My vote, tonight, is a vote for the health care needs of every American citizen, regardless of their ability to pay."
Debbie Halvorson, Democrat from Crete, said, "by passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act, we're delivering on our promise to secure access to affordable, quality, stable care for all Illinoisans. This bill offers a fundamental guarantee that every American can access good health care at an affordable price."
Rep. Peter Roskam, Republican of Wheaton, who voted against the bill, did not share his collegues' optimism. He called the passage of the bill "disappointing though just the latest example that Democrats simply aren’t listening to Americans." He said health care reform will "bankrupt future generations (and) mean increased health costs for families, deep cuts for seniors in Medicare, new taxes and more jobs lost."
Along those lines, Republican Judy Biggert of Hinsdale, said she was also, "disappointed but not surprised" over passage of what she called an "extremely misguided government takeover of health care." She said if the bill as it is now is passed into law, it would "slash Medicare and drive families into a government-run system..."
Dan Lipinski, Democrat from Western Springs, stated that while he voted for the bill, it was "only one step in the legislative process, and I will continue to work to improve the measure. If this bill does not improve when it comes back from the Senate, I will vote against it." Lipinski did not want the bill to include funding for abortions.
Melissa Bean, Democrat from Barrington, noted that, "Thirty-six million Americans, including 37,000 from the 8th District, will benefit from H.R. 3962’s expansion of affordable health insurance coverage and choice, and everyone will benefit from the significant insurance reforms prohibiting pre-existing conditions exclusions, lifetime benefits caps, and the cancellation of coverage when people need it most." She added, "the 8th District has expressed broad support for health insurance reform, but also deep concern about doing it in a fiscally sustainable way. While these reforms are deficit neutral, I’m seeking improved cost containment measures in the final version of the bill before I can support it.”
President Obama, in a statement issued late Saturday, said the bill is, "a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. And it is legislation that is fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.
"Thanks to the hard work of the House, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America," Obama said. "Now the United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."
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Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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