Rep. Kagen Comments on Health Care Reform Bill’s Passage

Congressman Steve Kagen (D – Appleton) released comments on the passage of the Health Care Reform bill today.

“Americans may now have peace of mind,” Kagen said. “With tonight’s vote, no longer will a child’s accident or illness cause their family to go broke and lose their home. Senior citizens will see a stronger and better Medicare and the prescription drug program’s donut hole begin to close. Small business owners will soon be able to buy health care coverage for themselves and their employees at the same discounts as big corporations.”

With the President’s signature, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will have immediate benefits this year: small businesses that provide coverage to their employees will be eligible for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of premiums; those uninsured because of a pre-existing condition will be able to buy affordable coverage; insurers will be banned from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions; insurers will also be prohibited from dropping people when they get sick and placing restrictive lifetime or annual limits on coverage; young adults will be able to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26.