National Conference of State Legislatures Vote in Favor of Health Insurance Reform

Author: HHS Press Office
Published: 2009/07/24
Topic: U.S. Medicare System - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Elected officials from across the country came out strongly in support of health insurance reform.

Introduction

Main Item

Secretary Sebelius Praises National Conference of State Legislatures Vote in Favor of Health Insurance Reform

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius congratulated the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) after the conference approved an amendment in favor of health insurance reform. The amendment was approved by a vote of 38-11. According to NCSL rules, amendments must receive 75 percent of the vote in order to pass.

"Elected officials from across the country came out strongly in support of health insurance reform," said Secretary Sebelius. "State legislators know that we can't afford the health care status quo. They see how health care costs are crushing state budgets and they hear from Americans from across the country who can't get the affordable care they need. I applaud NCSL for committing to work to deliver the reform we need this year."

The approved amendment expresses support for reform that will help ensure all Americans have access to affordable health insurance, a public health insurance option and reform that will allow Americans who are satisfied with their health care to keep the coverage they have today.

The vote was one in a series of steps state legislators have taken in support of health reform. In June, Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform announced the formation of State Legislators for Health Reform in a meeting at the White House. Members of State Legislators for Health Reform have held public meetings with their constituents, attended press conferences, authored op-eds and reached out online to encourage Americans to support health reform.