Democratic Governors Urge Congress to Act on Health Insurance Reform
Posted on: Tuesday, 22 September 2009, 09:57 CDT
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Democratic Governors are urging Congress to act on the President's health insurance reform plan after productive conversations in the past week with House and Senate leaders.
"Governors are doing our best to help families struggling to pay for health care. We're all grappling with state budgets that are strained with the spiraling cost of health care," said Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, chair of the Democratic Governors Association. "We need health insurance reform this year, and we support the President's goals."
"Health insurance reform has never been closer, and it couldn't come at a more critical time for states as we work to balance our budgets and families are forced to pay higher and higher costs for health insurance and uncompensated care," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, vice chair of the DGA. "If we are truly going to reduce costs for small business and families and expand access to affordable, quality health care, we must hold insurance companies accountable."
Several Democratic governors participated in the conversations with members of Congress to express their concerns and hear more from lawmakers about their plans.
"We had productive conversations. The lawmakers heard our concerns and they understand where we're coming from," said West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, who is the DGA's chair emeritus. "While I want to see more details, I feel good about where this is headed, and I want to see reform passed this year."
"Governors feel a real sense of positive momentum about health insurance reform," said Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "Between President Obama's plan and the proposals coming out of Congress, I am optimistic that working families will soon have the security and stability they need. I urge our federal partners to pass health insurance reform into law as soon as possible. For states like Michigan, we know that the status quo will continue to squeeze the budgets of families, businesses and government - so inaction is unacceptable."
SOURCE Democratic Governors Association
Source: PR Newswire
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