Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement today regarding the need to pass health care reform. The congresswoman introduced legislation in March 2009 to protect health coverage for children with pre-existing conditions. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, one of the three committees of jurisdiction over health care reform, Schwartz has helped draft the legislation Congress is expected to vote on tomorrow.

She has played a significant role in ensuring that this particular provision is included in the final legislation. As a result, prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions will be one of the provisions that will take effect almost immediately. 

“Over the last year I have heard from thousands of my constituents about how important it is for Congress to pass meaningful health care reform that makes coverage affordable for the middle class, provides security for seniors and guarantees access to the uninsured.

“I have listened to countless stories and worked hard to ensure that the needs of my constituents were met through this process of reforming our health care system. No single issue has been more heartbreaking to hear about than Americans with pre-existing conditions being denied access to the coverage they need.

“I would like to tell you about Linda, a constituent whose daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 31 years old after living in remission from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 12 years. Though she was getting health care coverage through COBRA, she was still paying more than $524 a month for her premiums. This woman-- who was unable to work and could barely do every day things on her own and was recovering from brain surgery-- was expected to shell out over $500 a month for health insurance. But then her COBRA ran out and she was denied by every insurance company in the book because of her pre-existing condition. If it weren’t for her parents, she would be living on the street.

“It is unconscionable to think that people could be denied health insurance just when they need help the most. It is unacceptable that insurance companies have a regular practice of denying and dropping coverage to our most vulnerable citizens. It is time to put patients first.

“I am proud to say that health care reform will put an end to that despicable practice once and for all. And I am proud to have worked so hard to ensure that this particular provision was included in the overall bill and because of our work, Linda can sleep at night knowing that her daughter will always have access to meaningful, affordable health care coverage.

 “Earlier this week, the House Budget Committee voted to advance the health care bill in Congress. During this important committee hearing, I offered a motion to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions. This motion garnered broad bipartisan support.

“Republicans support this provision, and many other provisions included in the final health care bill. Unfortunately for political reasons, Republicans are standing together against the President and against Democrats in Congress to block this important bill instead of standing together to do what is right for Linda and her daughter and the countless others like her.

“The time to act is now. America can not wait any longer and can not afford the status quo.”

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