March 21, 2010

House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation

By a vote of 219-to-212, the House of Representatives Sunday approved landmark health care reform legislation that will cover 32 million additional Americans and bar insurance companies from denying insurance to Americans because of pre-existing conditions. Congressman Dicks supported the bill, which also will make insurance coverage for self-employed individuals more affordable and make it easier for Americans to change jobs without worrying about the loss of health coverage.

Norm also applauded the agreement reached this week to address the regional disparity in Medicare reimbursement payments to physicians and health care facilities which has disadvantaged Washington and other states with lower cost, high quality health care systems.  The agreement resulted in a boost in funding for reducing the inequities in Medicare reimbursement rates --  now included in the health care reform legislation -- as well as a commitment by the Department of Health and Human Services to institute a series of studies and pilot programs to encourage the shift away from the traditional “fee for service” system.  In pushing for these changes, Rep. Dicks cited evidence indicating that health care outcomes in many areas around the country with the highest reimbursement rates are worse than in areas where care is more efficient, including the Pacific Northwest. 

A summary of the legislation that was approved Sunday in the House is available here.

Home >> Newsroom