There’s a saying that goes “once a nurse, always a nurse” and that couldn’t be more true as I apply my nursing background to my role in health care reform. As Vice-Chair of the Energy & Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, I am working hard in Congress to increase access to affordable health coverage and quality health care for everyone.

Our nation’s health care system is in shambles, but we are now taking steps to repair it. Forty-seven million uninsured Americans are forty-seven million too many and even those Americans who have coverage cannot be sure it is will be there when they need it. The shortage of doctors, nurses and other health professionals is reaching a crisis level. And the United States spends far more on health care per capita than any other industrialized nation, yet we don’t yield better health outcomes.

However, Congress is working with the Administration to reform our health system. During the first half of 2009 we held an exhaustive series of hearings on the subject, followed by several days of consideration in each of the committees of jurisdiction. On November 7, 2009, I was proud to cast a vote in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The Senate has also acted and now work is underway to merge the two bills into a final product. The bill that we send to the President for his signature must ultimately accomplish the following three goals:

• Accountability for the health insurance industry
• Accessibility for all patients
• Affordability for individuals and businesses

Health Care Reform:

On March 21, 2010 Congress passed comprehensive health reform legislation that takes important steps to improve health care for all Americans. The bill strengthens the health insurance coverage most people already have while lowering premiums. The bill makes affordable health insurance coverage available to millions who currently lack it, and enables small businesses to provide affordable coverage to their employees. In addition, the legislation takes steps to improve Medicare for seniors by closing the Part D “donut hole” and extending the financial solvency of the Medicare program. Finally, the bill is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to lower the deficit by over $140 billion in the first 10 years, and an additional $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years.

Below are some useful links providing more information on the legislation.  You can also get all the latest information on how the bill will help you by visiting HealthCare.gov.

General Resources
HealthCare.gov
Benefits for the 23rd District
What's in it for You?
Consumer Protections
Fact Sheet
Immediate Benefits
Timeline for Implementation
Consumer Guide
Insurance Exchanges - How Will They Work?
Interactive Web Tools
Patients' Bill of Rights

Fact Check
Top 5 Myths
Full List
More Mythbusters

For Seniors
Senior's Guide to Health Reform
User Guide to Health Reform
Five Key Facts for Seniors
Strengthening Medicare
Medicare Part D
Medicare Advantage

For Small Businesses
Small Business Guide to Health Reform
What's in it for Small Businesses?
Tax Credit Calculator

For Young People
Young People's Guide to Health Reform
Why Young People Need Health Reform

Bill Text
Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 Text
Text of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 3590 (Senate health bill)

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Score
Four Key Points You Need To Know About the CBO Score
Full CBO Score

Additional Resources
Energy & Commerce Committee Fact Sheets 

I have also introduced several bills to address several specific health concerns:

• National Pain Care Policy Act (H.R. 756): To improve pain care research, education, training, access, outreach and care.Click hereto learn more.

• Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 868): To provide a voluntary option for states to receive additional Medicaid funding to reimburse community-based organizations so that they may raise the wages of direct support professionals.Click here to learn more.

• HEART for Women Act (H.R. 1032): To improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. Click here to learn more.

• Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (H.R. 1246): To improve follow-up and intervention as part of the successful hearing screening program for newborns and infants. Click here to learn more.

• Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1844): To standardize the development of comprehensive courses of treatment for cancer patients, including symptom management and palliative care beyond the initial treatment phase.Click here to learn more.

• Public Health Emergency Response Act (H.R. 2231): To provide a temporary emergency health benefit for uninsured individuals in the event of a public health emergency. Click hereto learn more.

• Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act (H.R. 2408): To expand scleroderma research, support training of new investigators, establish a patient registry and initiate a public awareness campaign. Click here to learn more.

• Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Investment Act (H.R. 2754): To provide grants for establishing and maintaining nurse-managed health clinics. Click here to learn more.