Dear Friend,

We did it!

Saturday evening the House passed sweeping health insurance reform legislation in a historic vote of 220 to 215.  As an original architect and lead sponsor of this legislation, I can tell you that the Affordable Health Care for America Act will do great things for our country.  It combines the best parts of all three former versions of the legislation and input from Americans across the country to address each of President Obama’s objectives, delivering the most effective and affordable health insurance reform possible. 

With this historic vote, competition will keep insurance companies in check; people will have an increased range of choices, while our right to keep our current doctor and plan will be protected.  We will take a crucial turn off the unaffordable road of mounting debt from a broken health care system; we’ll strike a new path, reducing our deficit by some $30 billion over the next ten years and enabling American business to compete in the global economy.  Finally, American families will no longer have to choose between paying their health insurance premiums or sending their kids to college. 

Together with my colleagues in the House, we have finally accomplished the goal to which my father and many other legendary representatives devoted their lives.  I am proud and honored to have been a part of this momentous vote, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in the Senate rise to the occasion, fulfill the mandate for change and finish the job to improve quality of life for all Americans through access to stable, quality and affordable health care coverage.