Foster explains vote for House health care reform bill
BATAVIA – Rep. Bill Foster (D-Batavia) was one of those who voted to pass H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act. The vote passed the House by a vote of 220-215. After the vote, Foster released the following statement through a press release:
“After holding more than 150 events and meetings with constituents on the topic of health insurance reform, and after spending nearly 50 hours reading and carefully studying this bill, today I voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act because this legislation, while not perfect, included many of the principles that I believe to be critical in improving how Americans receive health insurance.
For example, I am pleased that the bill gets rid of pre-existing conditions and lifetime limits on insurance coverage, begins to bring down insurance costs, and protects and strengthens Medicare – particularly by closing the donut hole in Medicare Part D over time. Not only is the bill paid for, it will reduce the deficit.
However, I do have some concerns about provisions of H.R. 3962. It contains a public option, which I support; however, the public option in this bill still does not compete on a completely level playing field since its borrowing interest rate will be less than that of a private insurance company. In addition, I have concerns with some of the details about how small businesses are dealt with in the legislation.
On balance, I had to take an up or down vote on this bill, and the benefits to families across the 14th district far outweigh those concerns.”
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