Nov. 8, 2009 9:36 a.m.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Following last nights passage by the House of Representatives of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, members of Congress released prepared statements explaining their votes. The health insurance reform bill passed with the slimmest of margins -- 220 to 215. ##M:[MORE]##

The three Democrats who represent the Mahoning and Shenago Valley – U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, Charlie Wilson and Kathy Dahlkemper -- voted with their party. Dahlkemper offered a number of amendments, which she outlines in her statement.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio 17, issued this statement:

“For too many years, due to plant closings, personal hardships, and medical catastrophes, tens of thousands of families in my congressional district have lost their health coverage been priced out of the health insurance market through no fault of their own. They’ve been pushed off their health care policies, denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions and ended up in bankruptcy. But now, finally, we have passed a critical milestone toward universal, affordable health care for all Americans.

“No longer will people be denied coverage because of some pre-existing condition. No longer will our families go bankrupt because of health care costs. No longer will health care be out of reach for thousands of our friends and neighbors. This reform should have happened thirty years ago, but I am proud to support it today. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will require legal residents of the United States to have health insurance, so they do not show up at the emergency room without insurance, resulting in taxpayers getting stuck with their medical bill. The Democratic health reform bill will create new insurance exchanges for individuals and families to reduce the cost of purchasing insurance, establish a public plan to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure competition in the marketplace, expand eligibility for Medicaid, and fill-in the so-called “donut hole” for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D.

“This is a great day for America. This legislation will improve access to affordable health and help control skyrocketing health care costs. Already Americans pay more and get less in health care benefits than other countries. Yet millions remain uninsured and thousands are losing their coverage every day. Make no mistake; our most expensive option is to do nothing. Without this bill, rising costs will make insurance unaffordable for many employers and employees and uncontrollable increase will continue to be a major factor in spiraling federal deficits. Without comprehensive reform, catastrophic health care expenses will continue to be a major cause of personal bankruptcy. By eliminating preexisting conditions exclusions we will help doctors to make health care decisions instead of insurance companies.

“I was born after Medicare and Medicaid were enacted, but I just cannot imagine America without these vital programs. I believe that in the years to come we will look back and wonder how we ever went without having health care for all.”

In Ohio’s 17th congressional district, The House Committee on Energy and Commerce provided the following estimates:

• mprove employer-base coverage for 355,000 Residents;

•Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 180,000 Households;

•Improve Medicare for 109,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 9,100 seniors;

•Allow 14,000 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 12,300 small businesses;

•Provide coverage for 43,000 uninsured residents;

•Protect up to 1,700 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs;

•Reduce the cost of uncompensated care hospitals and health care providers by $20 Million.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson issued this statement:

“Today I voted in favor of historic reforms to our nation’s health care industry,” Wilson said. “I have long-said I would support a plan that brought stability and security to the health care system, lowered the cost of health care, and insured broader coverage, without increasing our deficit. After months of deliberation, with these conditions met, I proudly cast my vote for the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"Reforming health care is a crucial part of America’s economic recovery. The 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 the economy and put it back on sound footing.

"The legislation passed today will cover 96% of Americans and guarantees stability, lower costs, higher quality, and a greater choice of plans for all Americans. It puts individuals and their doctors -- 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.

•Offers you low group rates for individual or family coverage.

•Helps lower your premiums with affordability credits for those who need help paying.

•Prevents any insurance company from denying you coverage for “pre-existing conditions.”

•Extends coverage for young Americans, allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans up to their 27th birthday.

•Includes a public health insurance option to compete on a level playing field with private insurers.

For 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 “donut hole” as early as next year.

•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.

In Ohio’s Sixth District, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:

•Improve employer-based coverage for 365,000 residents.

•Provide credits for up to 174,000 households to help pay for coverage.

•Improve Medicare for 116,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug “donut hole” for •Allow 12,600 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 11,300 small businesses.

•Provide coverage for 45,000 uninsured residents.

•Protect up to 1,300 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

•Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $89 million.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.