Health Care Reform - Yes, We Did!
Monday, March 22
Last night's vote is one of the most important achievements by the U.S. Congress in a generation. And we made it happen.
Thousands of activists like you made calls this week - and it paid off. Rep. Brian Baird was an undecided vote - up till yesterday. when he received thousands of phone calls from SEIU members and other health care activists. Baird is just one example of how our phone calls, emails, petitions and in-person meetings made a difference.
What's next? The House bill heads to the President's desk for signature, while the Senate will seek improvements to the bill with a package of amendments. In other words, we're not finished on health care reform - but we're getting close. And you made it all possible.
What does this mean to you and me? It means that health care reform is on its way toward final passage. It means that immediately upon passage, we'll be protected from many of the worst offenses by health insurers.
This is about winning control over our own health care choices - for families, small businesses, people with so-called "pre-existing conditions," and for our kids. Think about it - we made history!
Passing Health Care Reform will:
- Make insurance more affordable by providing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history;
- Give tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress have;
- Bring greater accountability to keep premiums down and prevent insurance industry abuses and denial of care;
- End discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions; and
- Allow children to remain on their parent's coverage - up to age 26.