All Pawtucket All The Time

Washington, DC – Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“This is truly a historic day.  I am extremely pleased that the House of Representatives has introduced health care reform legislation that will bring quality, affordable health care to all Americans.  Critical to this endeavor is the inclusion of a public option as one of the choices for consumers to choose from.  A public option brings true competition to the health insurance marketplace, and will hold private insurance companies accountable while bringing down costs for health care consumers.  It is my sincere hope that a strong public option remain as one of the essential elements of this bill as we move forward in negotiating a final version.

“The addition of language to expedite the closure of the Medicare ‘donut hole’ is a tremendous achievement.  For years, I have been hearing from seniors who are forced to decide between medications and other necessities because of the ‘donut hole’.  Since the House bill was first introduced, it became evident that the planned 15 year phase out of the gap, while a positive step, would not provide enough relief for our seniors.  I have been fighting to close the Medicare ‘donut hole’ for Rhode Island’s 19,000 seniors who fall into it, and I extremely pleased that the House Leadership took another look at it.  I would like to express my appreciation to the Speaker and the Chairmen for working with me and my colleagues on this critical issue.

“I also applaud the bill’s extension of mental health parity to millions of more Americans, an affirmation of the victory attained for those suffering from mental illness with the passage last year of my legislation, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.”