Mar. 21, 2010: Congressman Ryan Statement on the Passage of Historic Health Care Reform Legislation

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17) made the following statement upon passage of H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010:

“Today is a landmark day in our country’s history. After decades of debate, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform that will benefit all Americans— including a tax credit of up to 50% for small businesses who provide insurance to their workers, and a $5,800 tax credit for families with a $50,000 household salary.

Millions of individuals who cannot afford insurance or who have a pre-existing condition will get the relief they need. I applaud my colleagues for their hard work and tenacity, the many hundreds of organizations that supported this historic vote. I respect the viewpoints of those who have criticized this bill, but I can say with confidence that my vote today reflects the sentiments of my district – after receiving much constituent input via phone, petitions, conference calls and town hall meetings.

As a result of this bill, pre-existing conditions will not affect insurance coverage, young adults will be able to remain on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26, and thousands of families will avoid bankruptcy due to the skyrocketing cost of health insurance. This legislation has provided us with a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that American families can remove the burden of rising health care costs from their shoulders, my work will continue to focus on bringing good jobs back home to the 17th district.”

In Ohio’s 17th Congressional district, this health care reform bill will:

• Improve coverage for 355,000 residents with health insurance.
• Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 180,000 families and 12,300 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
• Improve Medicare for 109,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.
• Extend coverage to 39,000 uninsured residents.
• Guarantee that 9,300 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
• Protect 1,700 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
• Allow 53,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.
• Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 4 community health centers.
• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $11 million annually.

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