Urban Caucus Chair Urges Caucus Members to 'Get the Job Done' for Health C...( WASHINGTON July 9 -- Congressman Ch...),Health

WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Chairman of the Congressional Urban Caucus, releases this statement as the three House Committees with jurisdiction over health policy prepare to introduce legislation on health care for all Americans:

"The opportunity is at hand for the House of Representatives to act decisively on comprehensive health care reform. I am calling on all members of the Congressional Urban Caucus to stand up for this legislation with its strong public health insurance option, its assurance of coverage for preexisting conditions and its provision for quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

"I will be working with Chairmen Charles B. Rangel of Ways and Means, George Miller of Education and Labor, and Henry Waxman of Energy and Commerce to help insure passage of the bill.

"The public option will create a new insurance choice and level the playing field, which is especially important in markets dominated by one or two private insurers. The public option, which will be financed by its premiums, is critical in helping achieve the goal of the President -- and the Congress -- to lower costs while ensuring health care access for all.

"Health care reform is especially important for our great cities, where so many of the uninsured and underserved are living. This bill offers health insurance assistance to small businesses and it stresses public health clinics and preventative care.

"I am confident the House of Representatives will pass comprehensive health care reform legislation this month on the path to fulfilling President Obama's pledge to the American people. There were naysayers about the President's economic stimulus program, and we got it done. There were naysayers about the Budget, and we got it done.

"Tens of millions of Americans have lacked adequate health care for far too long.
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