Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Issues Statement Praising the House of Representative's Historic Vote to Pass Health Insura...( WASHINGTON Nov. 7 -- Tonight the Hou...),Health

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

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"This day has been a long time coming. Teddy Roosevelt first called for health reform nearly 100 years ago, but today -- in the face of furious lobbying by the insurance industry and nearly unanimous opposition from Republicans -- House Democrats accomplished something no other Congress has been able to do: pass comprehensive health reform legislation. I want to thank President Obama for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, and extend my congratulations to Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairmen Waxman, Miller and Rangel, Congressman Clyburn and countless others in the U.S. House of Representatives for taking this historic step.

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act will provide more security and stability to people who already have insurance by enacting much needed reforms to the insurance industry. No longer will an insurance company be able to deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition, or cancel someone's coverage when they get sick. The Act will provide more quality, affordable choices for the millions of Americans who are uninsured. And the bill will bring down the high costs of care, for American families and busines
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