Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2009 |
CONTACT: Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111 |
| Schwartz: “We Must Move Forward” on Health Care |
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“Almost 50 million Americans are without health coverage. Many millions more worry about the stability of their coverage - that in the time of accident or illness their insurance may not cover critical needs.
Since 2000, in my home state of Pennsylvania families, have seen a 100 percent increase in their health premiums. Nearly one in five Pennsylvania families pay more than 10 percent of their income on health care. American businesses are struggling with increasing premiums, forcing them to pass more of the share to employees or drop coverage entirely.
The federal government is the largest payer of American health care costs, currently paying nearly half of our nation’s $2.5 trillion health care bill. And, while costs keep rising at a rate of growth faster than inflation, health outcomes for Americans are not improving. The status quo is simply unsustainable: inaction is unacceptable.
We must move forward in offering a uniquely American solution to strengthening and reforming our health care system for all Americans. Health care reform means making difficult decisions. Without congressional action, there will be higher costs and greater uncertainty for all of us.
It is time to act. It is time to vote for reform.”
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