U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan's remarks — before and after passage of the health reform bill

To hear what Congressman Tim Ryan said tonight on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to help Democrats' efforts to pass House Resolution 2692 (officially titled The Affordable Health Care for America Act), the health reform bill, click here.

The measure passed 220-215 just minutes ago, largely along party lines.

Following the vote, Ryan released this statement:

"For too many years, due to plant closings, personal hardships, and

medical catastrophes, tens of thousands of families in my congressional

district have lost their health coverage been priced out of the health

insurance market through no fault of their own. They've been pushed off

their health care policies, denied insurance due to pre-existing

conditions and ended up in bankruptcy. But now, finally, we have passed

a critical milestone toward universal, affordable health care for all

Americans.

"No longer will people be denied coverage because of some pre-existing

condition. No longer will our families go bankrupt because of health

care costs. No longer will health care be out of reach for thousands of

our friends and neighbors. This reform should have happened thirty

years ago, but I am proud to support it today. The Affordable Health

Care for America Act will require legal residents of the United States

to have health insurance, so they do not show up at the emergency room

without insurance, resulting in taxpayers getting stuck with their

medical bill. The Democratic health reform bill will create new

insurance exchanges for individuals and families to reduce the cost of

purchasing insurance, establish a public plan to be administered by the

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure competition in

the marketplace, expand eligibility for Medicaid, and fill-in the

so-called "donut hole" for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D.

"This is a great day for America. This legislation will improve access

to affordable health and help control skyrocketing health care costs.

Already Americans pay more and get less in health care benefits than

other countries. Yet millions remain uninsured and thousands are losing

their coverage every day. Make no mistake; our most expensive option is

to do nothing. Without this bill, rising costs will make insurance

unaffordable for many employers and employees and uncontrollable

increase will continue to be a major factor in spiraling federal

deficits. Without comprehensive reform, catastrophic health care

expenses will continue to be a major cause of personal bankruptcy. By

eliminating preexisting conditions exclusions we will help doctors to

make health care decisions instead of insurance companies.

"I was born after Medicare and Medicaid were enacted, but I just cannot

imagine America without these vital programs. I believe that in the

years to come we will look back and wonder how we ever went without

having health care for all."

In Ohio's 17th Congressional District, The House Committee on Energy and

Commerce provided the following estimates:

* Improve Employer-Base Coverage for 355,000 Residents;

* Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 180,000

Households;

* Improve Medicare for 109,000 Beneficiaries, including Closing

the Prescription Drug Donut Hole for 9,100 Seniors;

* Allow 14,000 Small Businesses to obtain affordable health care

coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs

for up to 12,300 small businesses;

* Provide coverage for 43,000 uninsured residents;

* Protect up to 1,700 families from bankruptcy due to

unaffordable health care costs;

* Reduce the cost of uncompensated care hospitals and health

care providers by $20 Million.