BENNINGTON -- Vermont’s only member in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, a Democrat, voted Saturday night in support of what he called a "momentous step" toward providing health security and stability to all Americans.
After the U.S. House narrowly passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220 to 215, Welch said the landmark legislation will extend access to 36 million Americans and end abusive insurance company practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and dropping coverage of those who become sick.
"Tonight we took a momentous step forward in our century-long quest to provide health security and stability to all Americans. While this legislation surely is not perfect, it brings us closer than ever before to a health care system that works for all Americans. It extends access, ends health insurance discrimination, provides more choice and reduces costs," Welch said in a statement to the media Saturday night.
"Tonight’s vote signifies not the final step in our nation’s effort to guarantee quality health coverage to all Americans, but a proud step in the right direction," Welch said.
Across state the state line in the 20th New York District, Democrat Scott Murphy voted against the bill.
Other nearby U.S. representatives that voted for the Affordable Health Care for American Act include U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Mass., U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H.,
"This proposal will lower costs, increase quality of care, increase competition for insurance companies and put New Hampshire families back in control of their health care," Hodes said in a press release.
"We have a choice between standing with New Hampshire working families and small businesses, or standing for the status quo and the big insurance companies that deny care. I choose to stand with families and small businesses who need affordable health insurance and want security and control over their own health care," Hodes said.
-- Dawson Raspuzzi
Font Resize
| 