DeGette Supports Passage of Historic Health Care Reform Bill

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today voted in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 220 to 215:

"We live in the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, yet we cannot even provide our citizens with a basic right to quality health care. Our under-five mortality rate is ranked 40th worldwide -- coming in just behind Cuba. Our life expectancy rate is ranked 35th worldwide -- coming in just ahead of Albania. This is morally unacceptable. Quality health care should not be the privilege of the fortunate few, but rather the right of every American.

"The historic passage of our health insurance reform bill is a win for all Americans. It will vastly improve competition in the health insurance market and rein in rising costs for the American consumer. Under our plan, Americans will be offered a true choice of health insurance plans, and a public option will be available as an alternative choice to the private insurance plans."