President Obama Signs Health Reform Into Law, Makes History
WASHINGTON, March 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, President Obama signed health insurance reform into law. Following the signing, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement:
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(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/DNCLOGO)
"Today, as he signed health reform into law, President Obama made history. Since Teddy Roosevelt, Presidents have tried, and failed, to pass health reform. But thanks to the strong leadership of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the millions of Americans who made their voices heard, health reform has finally become a reality.
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"Americans will now have control over their own health care. Insurance companies will no longer be able to suddenly double your premium rates, drop your coverage when you get sick and need it most, or deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Americans will not have to worry about losing their coverage if they become unemployed or change jobs, and they can finally sleep at night knowing that they won't lose their house or their life savings if they are struck with a catastrophic illness.
"We will be seeing the positive effects of this bill for decades to come, but we'll also begin to get many of the benefits immediately. Beginning this year, small businesses that extend coverage to their employees will receive tax benefits; students will be able to remain on their parents' health care plan until their 26th birthday; and seniors will get a $250 rebate for prescription drugs that fall into the Medicare donut hole.
"This legislation also helps us get our deficit under control and our economy back on track. It will reduce our deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next twenty years -- making it the largest deficit reduction package in nearly two decades.
"This bill is a symbol of what the Democratic Party stands for -- relief for middle class Americans, fighting unfair business practices, helping people live happier, healthier lives and doing it responsibly, without running up the deficit. This isn't just a victory for President Obama, this is a victory for all Americans -- for every American who has struggled to pay skyrocketing premiums, for every American who has lost his or her home because of a catastrophic illness, and for every small business owner who wanted to do the right thing and give his or her employees coverage, but couldn't afford it. For every family, student, senior and business that has borne the burden of our broken health care system -- better and more affordable health care is here."
SOURCE Democratic National Committee
