Rep. Dan Maffei said today he will vote for the health care reform bill that is likely to face a historic vote in the House of Representative by Saturday.
Maffei, D-DeWitt, after weeks of weighing the most important vote of his young career in Congress, said he ultimately decided it was more important to vote for the reforms than simply do nothing.
“I’m proud to support this legislation, because it is going to expand coverage, lower costs and finally stop so many of the unfair practices insurance companies have been using for too long," Maffei said. "While reform process isn’t pretty, we’ve debated this bill long enough. In fact, we’ve talked about reforming health care for decades. Doing nothing is no longer an option.”
Maffei made his announcement at the American Cancer Society's local headquarters in East Syracuse.
“To everyone who reached out and told me their deeply personal stories - I heard you," Maffei said. "The time for action is now. I will carry your stories with me when I vote in favor of reform.”
Maffei was joined at his announcement by Nancy St. Onge, of Baldwinsville, a breast cancer survivor.
“The burden to me as someone who is fortunate enough to have health insurance is still hundreds of dollars each month," St. Onge said. "The mileage to and from 90 appointments last year, the co-pays for each of those visits and the co-pays for medications all add up. Now is the time for healthcare reform - for me, for other patients, and for anyone in the future whose life can be saved through early detection."
Top links
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» Wavering Democrats in Obama's sights on health vote [The Associated Press]
» Health care foes have 200 no votes in House; 216 needed to block [CNN]