Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today released the following statement after the Senate passed landmark health care reform legislation. The bill includes key Bennet additions to improve patient care and lower costs using a proven ‘care transitions' model developed in Colorado, as well as his push to lower costs and increase transparency.
"Today I voted for a health care reform bill that will bring meaningful change to Coloradans. Reform that provides coverage to 840,000 uninsured Coloradans, extends and protects Medicare for our seniors and provides free preventive care for everyone. Reform that provides tax cuts to small businesses and eliminates exclusions based on pre-existing conditions. And, as promised, I voted for health care reform that doesn't add a dime to the deficit.
"This bill will make a substantial difference in the lives of Coloradans who are doing jobs much harder than those in Washington, working late into the night, and taking an extra shift before Christmas so they can afford that extra gift beneath the tree. It is for those Americans who are unemployed in this savage economy and still trying to make sure the kids know they are remembered during this holiday season.
"For Colorado, this bill will help over 68,000 small businesses provide health care coverage for their employees as they have always tried to do. It makes health care more accessible and more affordable in rural areas by making sure doctors receive a fair rate of return for the quality care they provide. And for the nearly 500,000 seniors in Colorado, it strengthens and protects Medicare while ensuring seniors don't see a single cut to their guaranteed benefits.
"I do not support the special deals in this bill. I continue to believe we should include a public option. And I have been disappointed by weeks of delay tactics that have done nothing but expose a broken Washington.
"However, this bill is about the Coloradans and all Americans who just want a decent shot at the American dream. It's about lowering skyrocketing health care costs and reducing the deficit by nearly $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years. It's about ensuring the strength of Medicare for years to come and bringing much-needed, improved and affordable care to working families.
"After decades of trying, we finally passed a bill that saves money, saves lives and gives families a fighting chance against relentless insurance company abuses.
"I will continue to push for improvements in this bill as we move toward the conference report and a final bill."
- Michael F. Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado
Read more about Bennet's Medicare Care Transitions Bill, which was included in the final Senate health care reform bill.
Read more about improvements Bennet secured in the final Senate health care reform bill.
