With Rep. Peter Welch’s support, the U.S. House on November 7 passed historic legislation that will provide health care stability and security to all Americans. After months of debate, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) was approved by a vote of 220 to 215. The landmark legislation will extend access to 36 million people, covering 96 percent of Americans. It will end abusive insurance company practices like denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions and dropping coverage of those who become sick.

“Tonight we took a momentous step forward in our century-long quest to provide health security and stability to all Americans. While this legislation surely is not perfect, it brings us closer than ever before to a health care system that works for all Americans. It extends access, ends health insurance discrimination, provides more choice and reduces costs. "Tonight’s vote signifies not the final step in our nation’s effort to guarantee quality health coverage to all Americans, but a proud step in the right direction.” - Rep. Peter Welch, November 7, 2009

Affordable Health Care for America Act Resources:

• Full Bill Text
• Summary
• Section-by-section analysis

What Health Care Reform Means For Vermonters

• For Small Businesses
• For Rural Communities
• For Seniors
• For Young People

Provisions Sponsored and Advocated By Rep. Welch:

• Public Health Insurance Option – Welch-supported provision creates a voluntary, public health insurance option to compete with private insurers, adding choice and reducing costs.
• Prescription Drug Price Negotiation for Seniors – Welch amendment requires the federal government to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, cutting prescription drug costs for seniors.
• Extended Coverage for Young People – Welch-supported amendment allows young people through the age of 26 to remain on their parents’ health plans.
• Repeal of Anti-Trust Exemption for Insurance Companies – Welch-supported amendment ends the insurance industry’s exemption from anti-trust laws, eliminating price fixing and market allocation.
• Preservation of Vermont’s Medicaid Waiver – Welch amendment allows Vermont’s Medicaid waiver to continue under new system.
• Promotion of Accountable Care Organizations – Welch provision based on research by the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy creates ACOs, which reward the quality and efficiency of care, rather than the volume and intensity of services.
• Blueprint for Health – Welch provision based on Vermont model promotes patient-centered medical homes which compensate primary care providers for managing and coordinating their patient’s care.
• Reform of Medicare Geographic Disparities – Welch-supported amendment requires a two-year, Institute of Medicine study of geographic variations in Medicare reimbursements and a subsequent transition to a quality-based system.

More Information About Rep. Welch's Work On Health Care:

Announcement on New Medical Loss Ratio Regulations

November 22, 2010

New regulations issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require health insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of consumers' premiums on direct care for patients and efforts to improve care quality. This regulation, known as the "medical loss ratio" provision of the Affordable Care Act, will make the insurance marketplace more transparent and make it easier for consumers to purchase plans that provide better value for their money.

Read More

Vt. Digger: "Vermont selected for federal health care project"

November 17, 2010

Vermont is one of eight states that has just been chosen to participate in a new federal health care demonstration project.

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services has established an "innovation center," designed to encourage states to develop new ways of delivering and paying for health care under the Affordable Care Act just passed this year.

Read More

Vermont Picked for Project to Improve Patient Care

November 16, 2010

Vermont was one of eight states selected today by the federal government for a Medicare demonstration project to improve health care by basing payments to doctors and hospitals on the quality of patient care instead of the quantity of care, the state's congressional delegation announced.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said, "Vermont's selection ensures that our state will continue to lead in finding the best ways to reduce costs ... Read More

Medicare Announces Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration For Medicare Health Plans

November 12, 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made three significant announcements today: (1) updated star plan ratings for 2011 Medicare health and drug plans, (2) a 3-year demonstration to provide Medicare Advantage plans financial incentives to provide high-quality care, and (3) proposed regulations to implement several provisions of the Affordable Care Act to strengthen and improve the Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug programs.

... Read More

VA Video Outreach Message Aimed at New Veterans

October 18, 2010

New TV Ad Encourages Veterans to Use Benefits

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a new television advertisement encouraging Veterans to take full advantage of the VA benefits and services they have earned. The ad is one step in a robust outreach effort aimed at welcoming returning Servicemembers and easing their transition from military to Veteran status.

"VA is committed to reaching all Veterans to say 'thank yo... Read More

• October 15, 2010 — Welch calls for one-time $250 for seniors, long-term reform in response to today’s Social Security Admin. announcement

• October 8, 2010 — Health Care Law Invests in Vermont Primary Care

• September 27, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch attends Community Health Center of Burlington Groundbreaking Ceremony"

• September 22, 2010 — CMS Announces 2011 Part D and Medicare Advantage Plan Options

• September 21, 2010 — Vermont delegation announces $1.1 million in funding for public health services

• September 20, 2010 — Welch announces new health care reform provisions at Springfield Hospital

• May 25, 2010 — Feingold introduces Welch Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act in Senate

• April 1, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch discusses health care reform with Rutland medical providers"

• March 30, 2010 — Vermonters join Welch to discuss immediate benefits of health reform

• March 30, 2010 — Photo Album: "Vermonters join Welch to discuss immediate benefits of health reform"

• March 22, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "'A first step'"

• March 21, 2010 — Welch supports, House passes historic health care reform legislation

• March 20, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch lobbies for health care, calling legislation just a start"

• March 18, 2010 — Vermont Medicaid Solution In Health Reform Plan Will Mean Millions More For Vermont’s Medicaid Program

• March 11, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Rep. Welch decries GOP stalling tactics"

• March 3, 2010 — Welch and 61 House members introduce prescription drug price negotiation bill

• February 24, 2010 — House votes to end health insurance industry anti-trust exemption

• February 24, 2010 — Bennington Banner: "Vermont Dems in favor of antitrust repeal"

• December 24, 2009 — Brattleboro Reformer: "Welch skeptical of health care reform"

• December 23, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "Welch vows to fight for changes to health bill"

• December 22, 2009 — VPR: "Welch Hopeful For Health Care Compromise"

• December 10, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Burlington health center gets $10.9M"

• December 9, 2009 — Community Health Center of Burlington Wins $11 Million for New Building

• December 2, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Unemployed could lose health insurance subsidies"

• November 20, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes bill to protect seniors’ access to doctors

• November 9, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "Welch defends health-care legislation"

• November 7, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch urges health reform ahead of House vote

• November 7, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes historic health care reform legislation

• November 5, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch speaks out for health care reform

• November 5, 2009 — Valley News: "Welch on Health Care, Again"

• November 3, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont callers grill Welch on health care"

• November 2, 2009 — Audio: Health Care Telephone Town Hall

• October 22, 2009 — Welch announces breakthrough agreement in Medicare spending

• October 22, 2009 — Welch calls for end to health insurance industry’s anti-trust exemption

• October 21, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes HIV/AIDS funding bill

• October 21, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Let insurance cover kids to age 27, Welch says"

• October 20, 2009 — Video: Welch calls for legislation to allow young people to remain on their parents health insurance plan

• October 20, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch discusses health insurance for young people at Burlington press conference

• October 20, 2009 — Welch calls for legislation to allow young people to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan

• October 19, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch tours new Norwich University nursing facility

• October 18, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "Welch defends health care stance"

• October 18, 2009 — Valley News: "Welch Holds Health Care Forum"

• October 17, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch holds the second of two Congressional Forums on Health Care in White River Junction

• October 15, 2009 — Welch highlights Vermont cases at hearing about the underinsured

• October 10, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch holds the first of two Congressional Forums on Health Care in Williston

• October 7, 2009 — Momentum builds for Welch drug price negotiation measure

• October 3, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "Welch holds constituent conference call on issues"

• October 1, 2009 — Brattleboro Reformer: "Taking the lead"

• September 30, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch Discusses Health Care at Bennington Roundtable

• September 28, 2009 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch Hears Concerns over Health Care Legislation at Bennington Roundtable"

• September 28, 2009 — Bennington Banner: "Welch: Medicare will remain intact"

• September 25, 2009 — Vermont Public Radio: "Welch backs legislation to freeze Medicare premiums"

• September 24, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch backs freezing Medicare premium increases

• September 24, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes bill to freeze Medicare premium increases for seniors

• September 16, 2009 — Seven Days: "The Man of the House: Peter Welch"

• September 15, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch debates Neil Cavuto on health care

• September 15, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch speaks out for health care reform

• September 9, 2009 — Welch responds to President Obama’s address

• September 3, 2009 — Welch gift ban would crack down on pharmaceutical marketing abuse

• July 31, 2009 — Welch amendment to cut senior drug prices passes

• July 31, 2009 — Welch supports, House committee passes health care reform bill

• July 28, 2009 — House passes, Welch supports legislation to help disabled veterans

• July 23, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch discusses health care reform on Fox Business

• July 23, 2009 — Welch offers amendment to require drug price negotiation for seniors

• July 17, 2009 — Video: Reps. Welch, Cooper debate health care on MSNBC

• July 16, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch delivers statement on health care reform

• July 15, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch discusses health care proposal on Fox Business

• June 24, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch debates health care reform on Fox Business Channel

• June 23, 2009 — Welch to hold statewide health care reform Telephone Town Hall tonight

• June 23, 2009 — Welch initiatives incorporated into House health care reform bill

• June 18, 2009 — Welch, Pomeroy introduce legislation to reward value, not volume in health care delivery

• June 18, 2009 — Video: Reps. Welch, Pomeroy introduce health care legislation

• June 10, 2009 — Welch introduces bill creating public health insurance option

• June 9, 2009 — Providing Health Care For All

• May 18, 2009 — Welch unveils health care legislation based on Vermont model Monday in South Burlington

• May 11, 2009 — Welch announces $143,000 grant for Fletcher Allen sustainable food program

• April 6, 2009 — Welch seeks funding for 29 Vermont projects

• March 18, 2009 — Welch brings Vermont voices to budget hearing

• February 25, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch reacts to Obama's address to Congress

• February 4, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes SCHIP bill

• January 15, 2009 — Welch reacts to release of economic stimulus details

• January 14, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes SCHIP bill

• January 6, 2009 — Welch appointed to influential Energy and Commerce Committee

• August 18, 2008 — Vermont Delegation Hails Plan To Open New Rural Health Resource Center At The White River Junction VA Hospital

• July 31, 2008 — Welch provision on college affordability bill clears House

• July 21, 2008 — Welch announces funding for Springfield’s Southern Vermont Health and Recreation Center

• July 15, 2008 — Welch joins House in veto override, prevents devastating Medicare cut

• March 20, 2008 — House passes health care reform legislation

• March 3, 2008 — Welch discusses state’s nursing shortage, announces $341,000 for Norwich program

• January 28, 2008 — Welch responds to President Bush’s “State of the Union” address

• October 25, 2007 — House passes revised SCHIP bill

• October 18, 2007 — President’s misguided veto of children’s health care holds

• October 15, 2007 — Oversight report reveals high costs of Medicare Part D drug program

• October 3, 2007 — Vt. Delegation REAX to President Bush’s Veto of SCHIP

• September 25, 2007 — VT. Delegation Announces VERMONT BREAKTHROUGHS For Children's Health Insurance In SCHIP Bill

• September 20, 2007 — Cong. Delegation Blasts President Bush’s Veto Threat of SCHIP

• August 29, 2007 — Vermont delegation asks Bush Administration to revisit decision that prevents full implementation of Catamount Health Care program

• August 21, 2007 — Welch calls Bush effort cut to children’s health care ‘morally misguided’

• August 6, 2007 — Children, senior, and physician reps join Welch to highlight health care expansion

• August 1, 2007 — Welch supports health care expansion to millions of low-income children, prevents cut in fees for Vt physicians, expands Medicare services for seniors

• July 30, 2007 — Welch supports House Veterans Health Care Improvement Act

• July 20, 2007 — Welch secures funding to expand Norwich nursing program by fifty-percent

• July 19, 2007 — House passes Welch amendment saving Vermonters millions in health care costs

• June 6, 2007 — Welch, Wilson introduce bill to fight homelessness

• May 24, 2007 — Welch legislation to improve rural veteran care passes House

• March 28, 2007 — Welch veterans amendment passes House

• March 1, 2007 — Welch continues effort to assure veteran care, 43 freshman join call for GAO assessment, co-sponsors Wounded Warriors Act

• February 26, 2007 — Welch visits Colchester veterans' clinic, announces Oversight hearing of Walter Reed

• February 21, 2007 — Welch calls for investigation of Walter Reed outpatient care

• January 12, 2007 — Welch calls for Medicare Part D reform, ending special interest hand-out