FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2009
MALONEY STATEMENT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM
WASHINGTON, DC -Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) today offered the following statement on the ongoing health care reform negotiations:
"America's health care 'system' is broken. Too many people pay too much for coverage, too many others can't afford coverage, and overall our nation pays more for a health care system whose results are worse than other industrialized nations. It's wrong, it's been that way for far too long, and finally things are aligning in Washington to do something about it.
"I believe universal health care is a fundamental right and value and we must pass it this year.
"In terms of how we achieve universal health care, I believe the best way is a single-payer health care system and I've long been a co-sponsor of that legislation. But if single payer isn't on the table then we must give all Americans the option of enrolling in a public health insurance plan and I will fight to make sure the public option is included in any health care reform bill. As President Obama has said, a public plan is one of the best ways to bring down costs and 'force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest.'
"I'm confident that the House, under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Chairmen Rangel, Miller and Waxman, will pass a health care reform bill which includes a public plan option, and I will proudly vote for and support this bill.
"But the real question is in the Senate and given the uncertainty there, what I will not do is potentially put myself in a position of having to vote with Republicans to kill a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pass health care reform that provides coverage to millions who go without health care every day.
"I agree health care reform must have the public option and I will fight for it, but I also believe health care reform is too important to maintain the status quo. Even though I won't like a bill that doesn't include the public option, if that happens, the principle of getting people health care who don't currently have it must come before any one particular method to achieve it.
"As a nation, we have been talking about national health care since Harry Truman was President in the 1940s and it's time to finally get it done. We must pass real health care reform and we must pass it this year."