Daily Times
Ben Ray Lujan
March 30, 2010

Since going to Congress, I've held several events in Farmington and San Juan County, I've spoken with many residents in the area, and I know there is deep skepticism about health insurance reform. I know that there are strong opinions on all sides, some of which are unlikely to change, but I'd like to try to outline a few of the benefits of the recently passed health insurance reform legislation.

I believe, as do many of you, that we need health insurance reform, even if we may disagree on how to do it.

Right now, too many families are being hurt by out-of-control health insurance bills, too many individuals are being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions and too many small businesses are struggling with a costly and inefficient system. During the last decade, heath insurance premiums have doubled, while wages have gone up by just 3 percent. And if the trend continues, premiums will double in the next decade — costing families $25,600 a year. This is simply not sustainable.

Health insurance reform will rein in these costs, and it will do so while reducing the deficit by $1.3 trillion. How many times in the past 17 years has Congress had the opportunity to pass legislation that reduces the deficit by such an amount? Zero.

Read more>>>