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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: Rep. Latham puts big health insurance companies before affordable health care for Americans
3/22/2010

Representative Tom Latham Puts Big Health Insurance Companies Before Affordable Health Care for Americans

Today, the House of Representatives took historic action by passing health insurance reform. But rather than vote to help middle class families, seniors, and small businesses finally afford coverage while reducing the deficit by more than a trillion dollars over 20 years, Representative Tom Latham sided with the big health insurance companies instead.

Following the vote, Jennifer Crider of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said:

“For decades, big health insurance companies have profited off discrimination and denials and pricing middle class families out of the care they need but that didn’t stop Representative Tom Latham from continuing to side with insurance companies. Latham refused to give folks back home access to the same health care that he gets as a Member of Congress.

“After taking $213,607 in contributions from insurance companies, it’s outrageous that Latham would put insurance company profits before helping middle class families and small businesses afford coverage, closing the Medicare prescription drug donut hole, and reducing the deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next two decades.”

Background:

· Health Insurance Reform legislation passed the House of Representatives on Sunday, March 21, 2010 [H.R. 3590, #165, 3/21/10] [H.R. 4872, #167, 3/21/10]

· For Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, Latham’s vote against health insurance reform was a vote against:

o Improving coverage for 396,000 residents.

o Providing tax credits and assistance for 160,000 families and 14,600 small businesses to purchase affordable coverage.

o Improving Medicare for 106,000 seniors, including closing the prescription drug donut hole.

o Guaranteeing that 6,500 residents with pre-existing medical conditions can obtain coverage.

o Protecting 600 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

o Allowing 56,000 young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance plans.

o Reducing the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $72 Million annually.

Source: The House Energy and Commerce Committee

· According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, health insurance reform legislation will result in $130 billion in deficit reduction over the first 10 years and $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction in the second 10 years. [Politico; 3/18/10]

· Representative Tom Latham has received $213,607 in campaign contributions from the health insurance industry. [OpenSecrets.org]




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