From the Episcopal Public Policy Network:
Health care costs have been sky rocketing. Many people don’t have access to insurance affordable or not. The Episcopal Church has passed resolutions on numerous occasions, most recently at this summer’s 76th General Convention, stating that all people should have access to quality affordable health care. The time for action is now, and as a strong first step towards comprehensive health care reform, we are asking congress to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009.
As you read this, the House is poised to vote on H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009, which would provide access to affordable health care insurance for every person regardless of age, income, or health care status. Passage of this bill will mark the beginning of the effort to guarantee the assurance of affordable, quality health care coverage and peace of mind to American families, providing them with better care while costing them less.H.R. 3962 would establish a mandate for everyone to have health insurance, expand eligibility for Medicaid, and establish new health insurance exchanges through which some people could purchase subsidized coverage. It would bring an end to costly co-pays and deductibles for preventive care and rate increases based on pre-existing conditions. Further, the bill offers access to a number of prevention and wellness services, such as community health centers and community-based wellness programs. The bill further reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, whose last authorization expired in 2001, and includes key provisions to better ensure access to quality health care for Native Americans. Unlike the previous House proposal, according to the CBO, this revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years. Affordable Health Care for America Act is the first major attempt to fix America’s health care crisis by making health care more accessible, more affordable, and more effective.
Congress has an opportunity to take the first major step toward enacting comprehensive health care reform legislation that will guarantee every American access to quality affordable health care; provide families with help in paying rising premiums and maintaining coverage; and end waste, fraud and abuse through health systems modernization. Click here today to urge your Member vote for the Affordable Health Care for America Act.