Many different organizations have been working with thousands of Virginians over the last several months who firmly believe that America’s health care system is broken and in desperate need of reform.
For this reason, I am very disappointed that Congressman Rick Boucher has chosen to vote against a historic health care reform bill. This vote was a missed opportunity to stand up for affordable health care for all Virginians.
This bill will allow the 54,000 currently uninsured residents of the 9th District to gain access to affordable health care. It will grant 13,400 small businesses in the district access to a health insurance exchange, meaning that employees will benefit from group rates and a better choice of insurers.
Through this legislation, the thousands of people in Congressman Boucher’s district who suffer from preexisting medical conditions will no longer be blocked from insurance plans. The 800 families that suffered bankruptcy because of medical expenses in 2008 will never have to face such a travesty again.
Finally, the bill will allow more than 360,000 residents of the 9th district who are already covered by their employer to keep their current insurance plan.
As this historic reform continues to work its way through the legislative process, these organizations will continue to represent the voices of Virginians whose lives would dramatically improve if only they were able to access to adequate health care. I strongly urge Congressman Boucher to change his position when this bill comes to a final vote in the House.
Elizabeth Baumgardner
Bristol, Va.
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