Rhode Island Working Families Applaud Representative Kennedy and Langevin for Supporting Historic Health Care Reform

 “Facing down an onslaught of lies and cynical moves to derail this landmark legislation, Representatives Kennedy and Langevin stood with Rhode Island working families, not greedy insurance companies, and we applaud their courageous action,” said George Nee, President of the RI AFL-CIO.  He added “This vote is a momentous step toward comprehensive health care reform; Rhode Island small businesses, employees and seniors can take comfort that we are on the path to long-term health security.”

The legislation stops insurance companies from denying health care due to consumers’ pre-existing health conditions and dropping coverage for people who get sick.  It stops the relentless rise in health care costs and expands coverage for 32 million Americans.  The legislation also makes prescription drugs more affordable for seniors and helps small businesses struggling with skyrocketing costs.  It is projected to reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next two decades.

A determined effort by working people in Rhode Island to pass the bill was mirrored by working families across the country. “Over the past year,” according to Maureen Martin, the organizations Secretary-Treasurer, “union members nationwide have made over 4 million phone calls.”  “In addition,” Martin reported “Working America, the AFL-CIO community affiliate, talked to more than 210,000 people at their front doors, generating 30,000 health care petitions, 31,000 phone calls, 40,000 e-mails and 75,000 letters urging lawmakers to pass reform.”

Nee reports that the legislation is not yet finalized and that the final improvements in the legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives must still be approved by the U.S. Senate.  “We appreciate the past support of Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse on this important issue for millions of Americans and we urge them to work to pass this legislation speedily and get it to the President’s desk to be signed.”