Source: http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=
574&topicId=27010&docId=l:1083311842&isRss=true

The following information was released by the Illinois State Senate Democrats:

Illinois Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-12) is encouraged by the U. S. House of Representatives action on Health Care Reform, stating that America might be moving on the right direction. The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) was narrowly passed 220-215 and it will now be debated in the U. S. Senate.

"It is incumbent upon us as the leading nation in the industrial world, that we embrace health care for every senior citizen, mother, father, child and person with a disability in this country as in many other progressive nations around the planet," said Senator Sandoval.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) approved in the U. S. House of Representatives is a greatly improved bill from others proposed over the summer. Under the House bill 96% of legal residents under age 65 will be covered also requiring large employers to provide coverage to their workers. A new public insurance program would be established.

The Senate finance version calls to cover 94% of all Americans requiring almost everyone to get insurance trough their employers, on their own or through a public plan. On both versions there is NO denial of coverage for "Pre- existing conditions". Senate leaders aim at keeping the costs at under $900 billion over the next 10 years.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry health care coverage and would provide federal subsidies to all those who cannot afford a regular plan.

"This bill offers all Americans access to affordable coverage, and stable, quality care. Lack of health care is a crisis across America. It's a crisis for families whose health insurance runs out after being laid off. It's a crisis for those individuals who are regularly denied care in the individual market because of "pre-existing conditions." It's time to accomplish real change. The cost of inaction is too high, and allowing this crisis to continue is not acceptable," said Senator Sandoval.