WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, released the following statement in response to the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and H.R. 4872 - Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010:
"As the state with the second-highest uninsured rate in the nation, New Mexico can't afford the status quo when it comes to health care. Too many New Mexicans today are struggling to find insurance, or are struggling to afford or to hold onto the insurance they already have. The legislation approved by the House would change that. With this vote, we move another important step closer to giving every New Mexican - and every American - access to quality, affordable health care.
"This legislation won't solve all of the problems we face as a nation regarding health care. But it will help us meet many of the most acute challenges that we face today. It will extend coverage to 32 million Americans; close the prescription-drug doughnut hole for seniors; prevent insurance companies from discrimination based on pre-existing conditions and gender; and reduce the deficit by $143 billion in the first 10 years.
"The bottom line is this legislation puts American families and small business owners - not insurance companies - back in control of their own health care. As we begin our work this week, it would serve all of us well to remember this: Americans have waited generations for health care reform. They are ready for us to act. I look forward to our work in the Senate this week, and to sending this package to President Obama to sign into law."
