[Sosfbay-discuss] Health Care Reform?

[Gerry Gras]

Here are three opinions re the House bill passed yesterday.

 From Kucinich:
     http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/11/08-0

And
"Kucinich's Brave Health Vote Vs. Obama's Failed Promise"
     http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/11/08-4

And from Barbara Lee below.

Gerry


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Historic Health Care Legislation
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 14:17:32 -0500
From: Barbara Lee for Congress <info at leeforcongress.org>

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Barbara Lee Fights to Reform Health Care

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Congresswoman Lee greets President Obama on Capitol Hill

Last night, just before midnight, the House of Representatives passed HR
3962, the Affordable Health Care For America Act.  Congresswoman Barbara
Lee was a leader in fighting to reform  America’s health care system.
As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she helped energized the
Progressive Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus and the Asian Pacific American
Caucus.  She relentlessly communicated with the President and the
Speaker of the House to make sure that this Bill not only passed, but
contained reform that would bring desperately needed change to the
American people.  The final version of the bill will

     * bring health care to over 57,000 people in CA district 9 who were
       previously uninsured
     * reduce health Insurance premiums which doubled between 2000 and
       2008 and will force insurance companies whose profits quadrupled
       during that time to become more competitive.

The President challenged the Democratic Caucus to “…answer the call of
history…”.  Barbara Lee answered the call and led the charge. (Watch her
statement on the floor of the house here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKh7_d6O7E)



Following passage of the bill Congresswoman Lee said:



“Today’s historic vote is one step forward in our quest to provide
health care to all Americans.

  While there is still much work to do, I applaud President Obama, the
Democratic Leadership and the Chairmen of the Tri-Committees for their
efforts to bring us to this point.



I also want to thank the Tri-Caucus, Progressives Caucus and
particularly the 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Together
we have led the fight for a strong public option, which is included in
the health care bill that the House approved today.



When others were pronouncing health reform dying—and the public option
dead and buried—we kept on fighting! And we will keep fighting until a
final health care bill is on the President’s desk that includes not only
a strong public option, but provisions to achieve health equity,
eliminate health disparities and to limit the rate of increase for those
with private plans.



We have and will continue to champion issues such as the need for
support for patients with end stage renal disease, for children’s mental
health, and dental care, workforce pipeline issues, and expansion of
community health centers.



These provisions and others attack the many causes of health
disparities, and we fought to get them in.  Under the leadership of
Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen, we have also championed expansion of
the Office of Minority Health because we need a comprehensive way to
address minority health across agencies.



Finally, because we know that 85 percent of Americans are in private
insurance, under the leadership of Rep. Donna Edwards, we fought to have
included cost containment provisions to keep premiums reasonable. We
know that the American people want and deserve affordable health care.
We also know that this bill is cost effective for our country, and for
American families watching their budgets.



This was an historic vote, but we must keep up the fight until we have a
final bill on the President’s desk.  Health care should not just be a
privilege for a few; it should and must be a basic human right in the
wealthiest and most powerful country in the world.”



You stood with Congresswoman Lee in her fight to reform health care in
this country.  Your support and participation helped to make history.
This is a proud and remarkable day.


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Barbara Lee for Congress • 1736 Franklin St., Ste. 550 • Oakland • CA •
94612

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