For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats today. The House is expected to debate and vote on the legislation next week.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obama’s key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect people’s choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

The legislation will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will be covered by a quality, affordable health plan. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama. And the legislation will be paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years.

After the House Committees of jurisdiction debated and reported versions of the legislation in July, members of Congress have solicited unprecedented levels of input from the American people. Since then, the committees, House leadership, and the entire caucus have worked to revise the legislation to reflect the priorities that Members heard from their constituents.

“For over 70 years, generations have fought to bring the promise of quality, affordable health care to every American. Today is a groundbreaking moment in this historic effort,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “The Affordable Health Care for America Act reflects the hard work and input of many members of Congress and the American people and lives up to the principles that President Obama has laid out. We are closer than ever to guaranteeing every American access to quality, affordable health insurance and giving middle-class families and businesses relief from crushing costs, while reducing our deficit.

“For too long, health care has been a privilege, not a right in America,” said U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “This bill ensures that every American has access to high-quality, affordable care that meets their needs, while also working to slow the staggering growth of health care costs. We have worked long and hard to develop this consensus legislation that incorporates feedback from our constituents to deliver reform that will and protect and strengthen coverage for those who have it and help cover those who are currently uninsured.”

Click here to read more about this story.

Click here for more details on The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962),

Click here for more information on efforts to reform Medicare Payments For Physicians

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Congressman Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement today on the House's consideration of comprehensive legislation that would increase credit to small businesses:

"Last week, President Obama announced a package of initiatives that will increase credit to small businesses by providing incentives for community institutions to lend in low- and moderate-income areas.  To complement the President's efforts, the House will consider legislation this week to modernize the Small Business Administration's capital access initiatives, a move that would increase lending and help save or create more than one million jobs a year.

I commend the President for his leadership on this critical sector of the economy that represents our nation's most robust job creation engine, and I look forward to getting this legislation passed in the House.  The President's initiatives and House legislation this week build upon the work Congress has done this year to help our small businesses and communities overcome the challenges brought upon us by the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. 

My office has worked together with New York small businesses, banks, and government to find ways to open up the flow of credit and take advantage of stimulus programs so that we can bring stability and growth to our community.  Under the work of the House Ways and Means Committee, we have provided tax breaks for small businesses and financing for local economic development, which were enacted in the Recovery Act.

Our country has made some positive strides since the Recovery Act was enacted, but we must continue to bring about economic recovery to all with these small business and job creation policies."

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Congressman Charles B. Rangel applauded yesterday the four-year extension of the largest federally funded HIV/AIDS treatment program in the country − a measure that was approved by the House by a strong 408-to-9 vote. The program, called the Ryan White program, funds services that improve the availability of care for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured people with HIV/AIDS. It also provides technical assistance to local and state primary medical care providers, support services, healthcare providers, and training programs.

"Today we have brought relief to so many people who are living with HIV/AIDS and to their families and loved ones," Rangel said. "It is good to know that thousands of people who suffer from this life-threatening disease can now worry that much less about paying for their medicine or treatments. For them, the funding and extending of this program is vital."

HIV/AIDS affects more than 1 million people in the United States. Over 530,000 low-income people with HIV/AIDS depend on the services provided through the Ryan White program. In New York City alone, about 104,234 people have been diagnosed and reported to be living with HIV/AIDS, including 63,899 who live with the full AIDS syndrome. Approximately 32,000 New Yorkers use Ryan White, Part A services for medical treatment, support services, and other care that they would not otherwise be able to afford.

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The following is a press release from the Ways & Means Committee, which Congressman Rangel chairs:

Today, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved a procedural measure to send H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 to the House Committee on the Budget with reconciliation instructions.  Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) issued the following opening statement:

“I call the Committee to order for the purposes of considering a procedural measure to send the previously approved health reform bill to the House Budget Committee.  Today’s vote is strictly procedural, it does not change the substance of the health reform bill and it does not indicate a change in process as the bill moves toward a vote in the House of Representatives. 

“The Ways and Means Committee is proud of its work on this landmark health reform legislation to control health care costs and provide patients with greater choice and access to affordable, high quality care. This Committee has held more than 30 hours of health reform hearings, hearing from more than 40 expert witnesses on this issue. In July, the Ways and Means Committee met for a 16-hour markup and considered 38 amendments offered by Committee Republicans.  There is no question that Democratic and Republican Members have been given an opportunity to present their views on this important issue.  Furthermore, Republicans have not presented the Committee with a health reform bill for consideration. 

“Today’s action was necessary because there is a possibility that a handful of Senate Republicans could choose to engage in partisan tactics to stall this important health reform bill.  By sending the legislation to the Budget Committee, we simply preserve the option of advancing health reform legislation in a manner that would allow a majority of this Congress to answer the call of the American people and President Obama to address this growing crisis.”

*Please click here to view the letter approved by the Committee.*

*Please click here to view a copy of the Committee’s report on passage of H.R. 3200.*

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Rejects ACORN Amendment Violating Constitutional Separation of Powers.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel voted today against an amendment to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (HR 3221) that would ban federal funds from ever going to ACORN - the nation’s largest community organization of low- and middle-income working families - because the ban would be unconstitutional.

The Constitution impels Congress not to pass a bill of attainder that would punish a named individual or group without a judicial trial. The amendment would punish ACORN after allegations surfaced last week that two of the organization’s staff members, who have since been fired, counseled their clients to break the law  -  a role the Constitution explicitly leaves for the courts.

“It may be that ACORN is guilty of certain infractions, and if so, the organization should be sanctioned by the courts - not Congress,” Congressman Rangel said. “Our Founding Fathers wrote protections like these into the Constitution precisely for times like these, when momentary and fleeting passions might indict and convict groups of people without proper due process.”

The amendment, which passed the house earlier today, would deny government contracts and all federal funding to ACORN and anyone affiliated with the organization. Seventy-five members of the House voted with Congressman Rangel, including Chairman of the Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Jerrold Nadler, and New York representatives Joseph Crowley, Maurice Hinchey, Gregory Meeks, José Serrano, Louise Slaughter, Edolphus Towns, and Nydia Velázquez.

“This move is an affront to the Constitution and its mandate that there be a separation of powers,” Rangel said. “When we ignore the Constitution, and turn a blind eye to the dismantling of its principles - no matter how righteous our anger may appear now - we do our great country, and our great democracy, a great disservice.”

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Bill Provides $150 Million to Upper Manhattan to Increase College Grant Amounts and Student Eligibility.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel voted today in support of legislation that would make college more accessible to individuals, improve student loan programs and early childhood education, and prepare students for 21st century jobs, while reducing the federal deficit.  The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221) passed the House and will now go to the Senate for consideration.    

The bill invests $150.3 million in Upper Manhattan to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship from $5,350 today to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019.  The bill also makes 28,232 students in the community eligible for Pell grant awards for the 2010-11 academic year.  

The bill will save American taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years by having all new federal student loans originate through the more cost-effective Direct Loan program.  In addition, the legislation directs $10 billion in savings to go toward reducing the national deficit. 

"Education is, in my opinion, the most critical factor that determines the future well-being of our community, and this bill reduces the financial roadblocks and other challenges that deny our youth the opportunity to learn, succeed, and overcome the threats to their hopes and dreams," Congressman Rangel said.

The bill would invest at least $8.9 million a year in New York State for the next five years to bolster college access and completion support programs.  It would also keep federal student loan interest rates low, make it easier to apply for financial aid, and invest $2.55 billion nationally toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions to help students stay in school and graduate. 

Additionally, the bill would encourage community-college partnerships that prepare individuals for 21st century jobs, increase the number of children from low-income families that enter kindergarten, and provide funds to modernize, repair, and upgrade school facilities. 

"My home, New York City, graduates only 45.2 percent of its students and has 200,000 disconnected youth ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and without employment," Congressman Rangel said.  "As someone who, through the GI Bill, was transformed from a high school dropout to a college graduate and lawyer, I have been concerned with disparities in education all of my life.  That is why I am so supportive of the bill we passed today."

For years, Congressman Rangel has advocated for improving education as the nation's greatest priority and encouraged educational partnerships with corporate foundations.  He has worked to secure millions of dollars in foundation grants for Upper Manhattan to improve middle school education, boost performance in science and math, and award computers to needy schools.  He has worked to boost representation of poor and minority students in the field of public service and secured funds to provide job training to returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Congressman Charles Rangel last week joined an effort in the House to commemorate the enslaved Blacks who built the U.S. Capitol by constructing a statue in their honor in the Capitol's Emancipation Hall.

“Thousands of Black men and women held in bondage lent their bodies and their lives to the construction of the Capitol building,” Rangel said. “A statue in their collective honor would serve as a reminder of their contributions and of how far we have come. Their names may be unknown to the Capitol's visitors, but to their families, their peers, and their friends, they were human beings, made of flesh and blood − not stone. Our nation is great, not in spite of the mistakes of our past, but because we acknowledge them, remember them, and use them to strive towards a more perfect union."

If enacted the measure, led by Congressman Gary Ackerman of New York, would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to commission of a statue within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

“The creation of this statue would be the least we can do to pay tribute to the blood, sweat and tears of the slaves who help build the Capitol of the free world,” Ackerman said. “Throughout our nation’s history, little has been known about the role that slave labor played in the construction of the U.S. Capitol. Hopefully, the displaying of this statue would continue Congress’ efforts to remedy this shameful omission from history and ensure that the story of these slaves is not only told, but never forgotten.”

Construction of the Capitol began in earnest in 1793 and lasted until 1826. The number of enslaved Blacks who participated in its construction is not known, but records note the first names of various enslaved Americans who participated. Enslaved Blacks not only quarried the stone that makes up the building's floors, walls, and columns, but they were involved in carpentry, masonry, carting, rafting, roofing, plastering, glazing, painting, and sawing. One enslaved man, Philip Reed, notably forged the Statue of Freedom that sits atop the Capitol Dome. By the time the statue was placed there in 1863, Reed had gained his freedom.

Congressman Rangel has also introduced legislation, H.Con.Res. 73, commemorating the 1801 British Slave Trade Abolishment Act − an act that represented a blow to the practice of human trafficking for the purposes of slavery and set a legal precedent for abolition in the United States.

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Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, the U.S. House of Representatives passed housing legislation last week that would temporally suspend the community service requirement for public housing residents across the nation.

The Rangel-sponsored amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act would temporarily exempt residents from the current requirement of eight hours every month by forbidding the use of any federal funds next year to administer the rule. The full bill passed the evening of July 23 by a vote of 256-168.

Rangel has criticized the requirement as unfair and insulting since it was first introduced as part of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, working to delay its original implementation until 2002. Since then, he has sponsored various efforts to eliminate the provision, which he and other advocates say is an unfunded mandate that duplicates the efforts states and communities undertake through welfare reform to move people back into the work force.

“Frankly, we should not be wasting money on enforcing such an inappropriate provision,” said Congressman Rangel. “Repealing the community service requirement will actually free up funds for HUD and the public housing agencies to spend on the real needs of those who live in public housing.

The motion, which passed by a voice vote, was part of a larger package that funds transportation, housing and urban development needs for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The bill now moves to the Senate, which must pass the legislation before it can be signed by President Barak Obama.

Housing advocates praised Congressman Rangel and Congress for passing the measure.

"Congressman Rangel is to be congratulated again for blocking funding of implementation of the community service requirement, which is an outrage to public housing residents in NYC and across the country,” said Community Service Society of New York President and CEO David R. Jones. “We look forward to repeal of the requirement, for once and for all, by Congress this coming year."

HELPING AMERICA GET BACK ON ITS FEET
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act provides both short-term help in the form of housing and jobs for those hurt most by the economic downturn and long-term solutions like improved infrastructure to put our economy on sound footing for the future.

The legislation specifically:

• Keeps our transportation system safe, secure and up-to-date. Provides funding to improve and repair our nation?s aging highway system and modernize our air traffic control system to make travel safer, easier and more efficient. Also includes investment in the next generation of high-speed passenger rail and new commuter rail and light rail systems.
• Provides Resources to Get Through the Current Economic Crisis - The bill increases funding for rental vouchers and housing assistance for the neediest Americans ? the disabled, elderly and homeless veterans. It also invests in counseling to help families who are at risk of foreclosure stay in their homes and weather the mortgage crisis.
• Funds Important Economic Development Projects - - In order to spur economic development in vacant urban commercial and industrial sites, the bill invests in grant programs that revitalize neighborhoods and turn deserted areas into commercial destinations. The legislation also encourages economic development in rural communities by establishing a fund to drive rural innovation and entrepreneurship and support small businesses.

"Too many Americans are still struggling for us to turn our heads and look the other way," said Rep. Rangel. "We must do all that we can to provide continued relief to those who have lost their homes and their jobs in this tough economy.”

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The United States Senate passed a bill today sponsored by Congressman Rangel to add National Korean War Armistice Day, July 27, to the short list of calendar dates that the American flag should be especially displayed on buildings.  The legislation will now go to the White House for President Obama to sign into law.

The Korean War Veterans Recognition Act (H.R. 2632) honors the 6.8 million Americans who served during the Korean War period.  The Korean War itself last only three years (1950-1953), yet the U.S. suffered 52,246 deaths and more than 8,100 POW/MIAs still remain.  Congressman Rangel served in the Army and fought in Korea from 1950 to 1952.

"This bill is just a small way to recognize those who made the sacrifices to defend our great Nation and the principles for which we stand," said Congressman Rangel.  "I thank the Senate for passing this bill, especially the support and leadership of Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy for picking up the bill in the Senate.  Having our flag to annually commemorate the day of Korean War Armistice lets our surviving veterans, their families, and their communities know that our Nation will always remember and thank them."

On July 27, 1953, three years after armed forces from North Korea crossed into democratic South Korea and launched an offensive invasion, an armistice was signed, which unofficially ended the Korean War and ensured South Korea's independence and democracy. Sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean War is often overlooked in the public consciousness and referred to as the "Forgotten War."  

"We lost so many American lives and so many were captured," said Congressman Rangel.  "So much pain was caused to so many families and to so many communities.  Now there are only two million of these veterans left and 1,000 of them die every day.  This bill is important not only to our veterans but to our nation's commitment to defending freedom across the world especially in these times of global conflict."

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Historic legislation will reduce out-of-control costs, improve choices for patients, and expand access to quality, affordable health care.

Democratic leaders joined Congressman Charles Rangel Tuesday in announcing healthcare legislation that will provide affordable, quality care for the vast majority of all Americans.

“Reforming America’s health care system to control costs and improve access to quality affordable care is not only the moral thing to do, it is also critical to our economic recovery and the long-term fiscal health of our nation,” said the Ways and Means Chairman in introducing the American Affordable Health Choices Act with the House Leadership jointly with the Committees on Education & Labor and Energy & Commerce

As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel has worked diligently with the White House and his Congressional colleagues to develop a solution that puts patients – not profits – first, while reducing the burden of ballooning health care costs on American families, businesses and our fiscal future.

President Barack Obama thanked Rangel and the other committee chairs for their continuing efforts.

"I thank Chairmen Rangel, Waxman, and Miller for their hard work on this bill that fundamentally reforms the health care system," said the President in a statement. "As this process moves forward, I look forward to continuing to work with all House members in ensuring this legislation helps all Americans and plays an essential role in reducing deficits and bringing fiscal sustainability to our nation.”

The announcement comes one day after Rangel met with President Obama to advance the White House's overall goals of strengthening employer-provided care while fixing what is broken. The proposed legislation is consistent the President's agenda by ensuring that 97 percent of Americans will be covered by a health care plan that affordably offers quality and standard benefits.

Rangel has consistently promised that he would do all he could to meet the President's summer deadline for an agreement.

"There's an urgent need to get something done because real lives are at stake," said Rangel. "Thousands of Americans are depending on us to give them options, to give them hope that they won't have to go out into the working world worried that a slip here or a headache there will lead to a lifetime of bills, heartache or worse."


FULFILLING THE PROMISE OF UNIVERSAL CARE

Rangel said that the plan announced by Democrats is a strong starting point to protect what works in our health care system and put the nation back on the path to prosperity and fiscal responsibility.

“This plan tells every American – if you have coverage and a doctor you like, keep it,” said Rangel. “If you don’t, this plan will help you find and afford quality care.”

The comprehensive proposal promises to specifically:


LOWER COSTS FOR CONSUMERS
 

• No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care

• An annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses—keeping Americans from financial ruin
   
• An end to rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender or occupation.
   
• Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan
   
• Guaranteed affordable oral health, hearing and vision care for kids

PROVIDE GREATER CHOICE
 

• If you like your doctor and current plan you can keep them

• More choice, with a public health insurance option competing with private insurers

PROVIDE STABILITY & PEACE OF MIND
 

• End to denials for pre-existing conditions like heart disease, cancer or diabetes

• Get needed care, no lifetime limits

• Job and life choices no longer based on health care coverage

OFFER HIGHER QUALITY CARE

• Doctors, not insurance giants, in charge
• More family doctors and nurses entering the workforce, helping to guarantee access
• Benefits must include mental health

ONLINE LINKS

Click on the links below for more information on the Democrats' plan for health care reform:

General Questions and Answers
What’s in the health care reform bill for you?
The cost of inaction
Myth vs. Fact on health care reform
Strengthening Medicare

Energy & Commerce Clearinghouse
Ed & Labor Clearinghouse:
Ways & Means Clearinghouse
HTML Summary of the Bill
PDF Summary of the Bill
Bill text
President’s Statement

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