(BOSTON, MA) – “Today, millions of Americans do not have access to health care. Many more have inadequate coverage and end up in debt or forgoing needed treatments. Health costs continue their meteoric rise. We can no longer stand by and do nothing.

“The Senate Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would make great strides in fixing these problems while reducing the federal deficit. The bill will help tens of millions of Americans through insurance reforms that would prevent companies from denying coverage to sick people, subsidies to help families afford health plans, federal funds for states to expand care for low-wage workers, and support for consumer helplines and assistance programs. We applaud the Senate for fostering health equity, transparency and better care coordination. While there are many provisions we would have liked to see in the bill, we are endorsing it because we believe it will positively impact the lives of millions of Americans.

“As the only national consumer organization that has on-the-ground experience implementing comprehensive health reform at the state level, Community Catalyst understands the benefits of this bill and the important ongoing role consumer advocates will need to play to ensure its success. We encourage the Senate to pass this critical legislation, and to continue to work with the House to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health-care they can afford.”

 

About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to quality affordable health care for all.  Since 1997, Community Catalyst has been working to build the consumer and community leadership required to transform the American health system.  With the belief that this transformation will happen when consumers are fully engaged and have an organized voice, Community Catalyst works in partnership with national, state and local consumer organizations, policymakers, and foundations, providing leadership and support to change the health care system so it serves everyone – especially vulnerable members of society.  For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.

 

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