Health Care

House Democrats passed historic legislation to offer the American people the choice of affordable quality health care coverage for the first time. The Affordable Health Care for America Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves our choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans. Reforming health care is a crucial part of our economic recovery. Our bill cuts long-term health care costs and reduces the deficit by $109 billion over the first ten years, and continues to reduce the deficit to help grow our economy and put it back on sound footing.

After nearly 100 hours of committee hearings, 3,000 town halls and events nationwide, and 239 considered amendments, House Democrats have passed a bill that is critical to securing the future economic prosperity of our country and the American middle class.

The legislation passed by House Democrats will cover 96% of Americans and guarantees stability, lower costs, higher quality, and a greater choice of plans for all Americans. It puts you and your doctor – not the insurance companies – in charge of your health care decisions.

If you have insurance, this bill:

Keeps your insurance company from denying you care or coverage – or charging you more – because of diabetes, heart disease or any other “pre-existing condition.”
Gives you peace of mind that you won’t lose coverage if you lose your job, move, or change jobs.
Prevents insurance companies from dropping you because you get “too sick.”
Covers preventive care with no co-pays or deductibles.
Limits out-of-pocket expenses your insurance company can make you pay.

If you don’t have insurance, this bill:

Lets you comparison shop for a quality, affordable health plan through a new health insurance exchange or marketplace.
Offers you low group rates even for individual coverage.
Helps lower your premiums with affordability credits for those who need help paying.
Prevents any insurance company from denying you coverage for heart disease, diabetes or another “pre-existing condition.”
Extends coverage for young Americans, allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans up to their 27th birthday if they choose.
Includes a public health insurance option to compete on a level playing field with private insurers.

For our seniors, this bill:

Strengthens Medicare, extending its solvency for years to come.
Improves access to your doctor.
Lowers Medicare drug prices by beginning to close the coverage gap or “donut hole” immediately.
Reduces inefficiencies and program costs to help Medicare remain solvent without cutting benefits.
Improves coordination and increases the quality of care for seniors with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.

Featured Accomplishments

Affordable Health Care for America Act

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obama's key goals for health reform. (Passed by the House)
FDA Regulation of Tobacco

Democrats granted the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products – the number-one cause of preventable death in America. (Signed into law)
Health Care for 11 million Children

Democrats provided cost-effective health coverage for 4 million more children whose parents earn too little to provide their own insurance, but too much to qualify for Medicaid, and preserved coverage for 7 million children already enrolled. (Signed into law)
Improved Health Care for our Veterans

Democrats voted to strengthen health care for more than 5 million veterans by investing 15% more than in 2009 for medical care, benefits claims processors, and facility improvements in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. For the first time, the legislation also includes advanced appropriations for FY 2011 to provide reliable and timely funding for veterans health care. (Passed by the House)
Medicare Premium Fairness Act

Democrats voted to protect 11 million seniors and cash-strapped states from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. These hikes would directly threaten the pocketbooks of 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as state budgets, which cover premiums for 7 million low-income seniors. There is no reason this burden should fall on seniors and people with disabilities, especially during difficult economic times. (Passed by the House)
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

Democrats voted to reauthorize the Ryan White program for four years. The Ryan White program has been serving people with AIDS and HIV for nearly two decades. Today, the program provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million people – most of whom are low-income. Without this critical safety net, some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations would not receive the care and treatment they need and rightfully deserve.
The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

Democrats passed landmark legislation to fundamentally change the way we protect the safety of our food supply. This legislation closes the gaps exposed by the recent string of food-borne illness outbreaks and gives the Food and Drug Administration new authorities, tools, and funding. (Passed by the House)