New York State Governor David Paterson released the following statement on President Obama's speech:
“This evening, President Obama presented his
health care reform plan to the American people. I am encouraged by the President’s message: that the time for
health care reform has come. As Governor, I have aggressively expanded access to insurance while slowing the growth of
health care costs. However, there are still 2.5 million New Yorkers under 65 years of age without coverage and the State spends over $
1 billion annually covering the hospital costs of uninsured individuals.
“President Obama’s bipartisan reform effort seeks to curb the unsustainable growth in the cost of care and will ensure that no one is denied coverage when they get sick. States like New York with robust public programs and strong consumer protections can benefit from a healthreform bill that provides increased access to quality, affordable health care while building a 21st century economy. I want to thank the President and our Congressional Delegation for their efforts to enact a stimulus program that enabled New York State to avoid devastating cuts to critical health care services. The President's health care proposals bring further benefit to New York and other states faced with hemorrhaging budget deficits during this historic economic crisis. “I look forward to working together with the Obama Administration and Congress to advance a sound state-federal partnership that will press our shared goal of ensuring that all New Yorkers and all Americans have access to superior quality affordable care.”
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U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) released the following statement after President
Barack Obama's address to a Joint Session of Congress tonight.
I commend the President for his efforts to move our country forward on the meaningful health care reform that has been lacking for decades. The last month for me has been filled with stories of businesses, non profits, individuals and even health care providers who just received health care premium increases of up to 39 percent. These increases are unfair, unsustainable, and unpatriotic. As long as private insurers are allowed to charge whatever they want, our national interest will come second. I believe that the most effective way to rein in private insurance companies' abuses and charges is a robust public option. My vote will be based on whether the plan we come up with reduces costs for the middle class, ends insurance company abuses, and increases stable quality care and access for all Americans. The public option is a powerful tool that would accomplish these goals. I am going to continue fighting as hard as I can for the public option to be included in health care reform. As the President and Congress continue to work on and debate reform proposals, the voices I value the most will continue to be those of my constituents. I'm going to keep listening and engaging in honest and open discussions with as many people as I can while we work together on reform that will benefit all Americans.
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Following President Barack Obama’s address to Congress, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement urging Congress to follow the President’s strong lead and pass comprehensive health care reform:
“In his address to Congress tonight, President Obama successfully refocused the debate on improving coverage for those who have health insurance and providing quality, affordable health care to every single American.
“Political opponents have made every effort to derail a serious discussion of real reform, but the status quo is unacceptable. I plan to stand with the President so that we move forward on meaningful health care reform. I continue to support a robust public option that can compete with private health insurance and drive down health care costs for everyone. Comprehensive reform should also focus on prevention as opposed to emergency room care and strengthen Medicare for seniors.
“I am hopeful that everyone in Washington can see that the American people expect action. We must recognize that we have a health care emergency in this country and pass comprehensive reform that provides security and stability for everyone.”
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Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) tonight released the following statement regarding President Obama's health care speech to a joint session of Congress.
"President Obama made it clear tonight that we must act now to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. The cost of health care has doubled over the last decade and will continue to rise at an unsustainable rate unless we act now to reform our health care system. The rising cost has made health care unaffordable for millions upon millions of Americans and resulted in reduced and insufficient coverage for many others. At the same time, insurance and drug companies have reaped huge profits. This needs to end.
"I firmly believe that a public option will spur greater efficiencies and cost effective practices within the private insurance sector and is the best way to ensure that Americans have reliable, affordable health coverage. A public option would provide all Americans with an affordable, quality health insurance alternative that they can choose if they don't like their employer-provided coverage or if they don't have any other means of obtaining insurance. I appreciate President Obama's support of a public option and will work to ensure that it is included in the final version of the bill.
"Americans are looking for relief from the soaring cost of health care. A public option that promotes competition combined with a series of reforms that, among other things guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of pre-existing conditions, will help relieve the huge financial burden that health care has placed on the shoulders of Americans.
"The president was eloquent in his remarks and I think he helped unify members of Congress and the nation around one thing on which everyone agrees: we need to improve the health care system in this country. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the president to produce a strong, substantive health care measure that will enable all Americans to have quality, affordable health coverage."
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