Just after House committees released HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, President Obama has again made a strong statement that health reform must continue.

Using examples of Americans who have told the White House their stories of problems in health care coverage for serious illnesses, the President stated, "This is an issue that affects the health and financial well-being of every single American and the stability of our entire economy. It's about every family unable to keep up with soaring out-of-pocket costs and premiums rising three times faster than wages. Every worker afraid of losing health insurance if they lose their job, or change jobs. Everyone who's worried that they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance if someone in their family has a pre-existing condition."

The President also stated his concern over the effect of health care costs on businesses, and state governments being "overwhelmed" by Medicaid, as well as federal budgets handling Medicare. The time is here to seize the opportunity for health insurance reform, Obama said.

In the President's remarks, he addressed issues from health reform opponents, including that health reform will lead to record deficits. President Obama was clear on future spending: "I will not sign on to any health plan that adds to our deficits over the next decade. And by helping improve quality and efficiency, the reforms we make will help bring our deficits under control in the long-term," he said, explaining that the administration's proposals will cut hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary spending, and change incentives so providers will give patients the best care.

President Obama also addressed concerns that Americans would not be able to choose their doctor, and that there would be some form of socialized medicine and rationed care. "Under our proposals, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. If you like your current insurance, you keep that insurance. Period, end of story," Obama countered. He also stated that government should not run health care, but neither should insurance companies have free reign. He again stated his goal of an insurance exchange, including a public option to increase competition and end insurance industry practices of yearly or lifetime caps, or denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Meanwhile, two major medical advocacy groups have expressed approval over the efforts in health care reform. The American Medical Association (AMA) has sent a letter to House leaders supporting H.R. 3200. "This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform," said J. James Rohack, M.D., AMA president, in a press release on the AMA's website. "We urge the House Committees of Jurisdiction to pass the bill for consideration by the full House." Dr. Rohack went on to say that the current status quo is unacceptable. "We support passage of H.R. 3200, and we look forward to additional constructive dialogue as the long process of passing a health reform bill continues. This is an important step, but one of many steps in the process. The AMA is actively engaged with Congress and the administration to achieve health reform that best meets the needs of patients and physicians. We are committed to passing health reform this year consistent with principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice, and universal access for patients."

The American Nurses Association has also issued a statement of support for the new legislation. "This legislation clearly represents a movement toward much-needed, comprehensive and meaningful reform for our nation's health care system," remarked ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, in an ANA press release. "America's nurses understand that this reform cannot wait; it must be done today." The ANA pointed out that H.R. 3200 includes provisions such as expansion of Nursing Workforce Development Programs to provide grants and loan repayment programs for nursing education, and also recognition of Nurse Practitioners as primary care providers in a "medical home" care model.

Adapted from press releases by the White House, the AMA and ANA.

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