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House Sets a Gold Standard

Posted by: Julia Eisman on Oct 29, 2009

Today, Speaker Pelosi unveiled an historic piece of legislation - the House health insurance reform bill.

In addition to reducing the deficit, the bill reaches 96% of Americans and adds coverage for 36 million people - the most comprehensive coverage we've seen yet come out of Congress. It also expands Medicaid to a much broader segment of the population - to 150% of the federal poverty level ($16,245 for an individual and around $33,000 for a family of four).

Families USA's Executive Director, Ron Pollack, had this to say:

The House health insurance reform bill sets the gold standard for legislation that deserves to be adopted this year.

The bill will provide America's families with peace of mind. It does so by ensuring that affordable, high-quality health coverage and care will not be taken away from them, even when they get sick, have a pre-existing condition, or lose their jobs.

Families USA especially lauds the House proposal because it makes health coverage affordable to families most in need. It does so by ensuring that the Medicaid safety-net program will become available for families with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level - approximately $33,000 in annual income for a family of four.

The bill also provides needed subsidies so that health insurance premiums are affordable for working families.

We urge the House to adopt this bill as soon as possible. We will mobilize families across the country to secure final passage of the legislation this year.

Update! Click here for a short summary of the bill. And here for the top 14 provisions that take effect immediately.