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Media Release |
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| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone |
| March 26, 2010 | Adam Sherman | 732-246 4772 |
| Eve Weissman | 732-246 4772 | |
NJ Health Care Advocates Thank Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for Championing National Health Care Reform
Congressman Pallone Showed Excellent Leadership by Standing Up for New Jersey; New Jerseyans Pledge To Keep Fighting Alongside Him
Highland Park, NJ — Health Care advocates from across the State and members of the NJ For Health Care and NJ Health Care for America Now Campaigns including NJ Citizen Action, AARP NJ, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, BlueWave NJ, Next Step, CWA, SEIU, Health Care for All–NJ, the Statewide Parents Advocacy Network, Central NJ For Change, Monmouth County For Change, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries, and the NJ Main Street Alliance gathered today outside Chandler Health Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey to thank Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for being a leader in the fight for comprehensive national health care reform.
"Representative Pallone listened to the voices New Jersey's working families, seniors and small businesses and put their needs ahead of the special interests and corporate lobbyists. We are here today to thank Congressman Pallone for taking the lead and being a champion of comprehensive health care reform," said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. "This is an historic moment for New Jersey and for America. Frank Pallone deserves our appreciation for his steadfast commitment to the people of his district and the people of New Jersey. Thanks to the leadership of Representatives like Congressman Pallone, millions of Americans will have the security of good health care at a price we can afford."
On Thursday, the Senate and House of Representatives passed the health care reconciliation bill, bringing to a close over an 18-month long fight to pass national health care reform legislation. The health reform bill signed into law on Tuesday this week by President Obama, along with the reconciliation (or 'fix-it') bill, will expand health coverage to 32 million Americans, stop insurance companies from denying care based on pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage when you get sick, reduce prescription drug costs for seniors, provide tax credits to small businesses choosing to offer coverage to their employees, and reduce the national deficit by $138 billion over the first ten years.
"This bill takes a great step forward in making health care more affordable and accessible for small businesses and the self-employed, it gives us better choices through a new, simplified marketplace of insurance exchanges," said Anita Thomas, owner of AM Thomas & Associates. "And, it delivers immediate assistance to small businesses, with tax credits to help make health coverage more affordable. Representative Pallone's vote for health reform is a vote for small business," she added.
As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Health, Congressman Pallone was actively engaged in the crafting the health care legislation.
This is a huge step for New Jersey's working families and small businesses. I am proud that Mr. Pallone is my Congressman, and I will keep fighting with him and for him the way he's fought for us," said Lorena Gaibor, a resident of New Brunswick, NJ who had experienced major problems with the health insurance industry.
Congressman Pallone was one of seven New Jersey Representatives who supported the final Senate and reconciliation bills. Representatives Andrews, Holt, Pascrell, Payne, Rothman and Sires all voted in favor of the health care legislation while Representatives, Adler, Frelinghuysen, Garrett, Lance, LoBiondo and Smith voted against the bill.
"AARP commends Representatives Andrews, Holt, Pallone, Pascrell, Payne, Rothman and Sires for their historic vote to improve the Medicare prescription drug benefit so seniors will no longer have to choose between paying for food and other necessities and taking the medication they need to stay healthy," said Marilyn Askin, Chief Legislative Advocate and AARP Spokesperson. "By voting 'yes,' Representatives Andrews, Holt, Pallone, Pascrell, Payne, Rothman and Sires voted to help ensure Americans 50-plus can get the care and medications they need at a price they can afford. In particular, we want to highlight Rep. Pallone's leadership that brought fourth this historic law."
"We're extremely disappointed that Representatives Adler, Frelinghuysen, Garrett, Lance, LoBiondo and Smith voted against health care reform," said Marilyn Askin Chief Legislative Advocate for AARP. "The alternative to reform is doing nothing, and that is neither acceptable nor sustainable."
Dr. William Owen, President of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ also spoke at the Press Conference to thank Congressman Pallone for his strong leadership on improving access to quality and affordable health care for all New Jersey residents.
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NJ Citizen Action is the State's largest citizen watchdog coalition, representing over 60,000 family members and over 100 affiliated organizations across the State. NJCA works to protect and expand the rights of individuals and families and to ensure that government officials respond to the needs of people rather than the interests of those with money and power.
NJ For Health Care is a broad-based alliance of over 60 health care, consumer, senior, student, disability, women's, labor, faith-based, civil rights and social justice organizations representing over 2 million members, working to bring guaranteed, high quality, affordable health care to all New Jersey residents.
Health Care for America Now is a grassroots national initiative that came together in the summer of 2008 with the goal of passing strong national health care reform through Congress.
