Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) voted ‘Yes’ for the final time on health care legislation Thursday, when the House of Representative passed the health care "fixes" on the original legislation and sent the bill to President Obama for his signature.

Rep. Engel said, “We are finally through with Republican obstructionism in trying to block the most comprehensive health care legislation ever for the American people. Early Monday, we passed the original bill, in a vote as monumental as Social Security, Medicare, and the Civil Rights laws.

“Decades have gone by, Presidents have come and gone, and millions of people have had to endure life without health insurance coverage. Millions of families have gone bankrupt as leaders have failed to revise our health care system to make it affordable for all Americans.

“Finally it is over and we will have health care available for virtually every American. Finally the grip of insurance companies on American health care is broken. At long last, that quest for reform is over. I have never been more proud to be a member of the House of Representatives than when I cast that vote.”

Thursday, the Senate passed the reconciliation alterations to the original bill. “These are changes that I fought for to enable states – such as New York – who have done the right thing for its citizens to be properly compensated for Medicaid and other uncompensated care,” said Rep. Engel. “I am pleased to say that effort succeeded, and the revised bill is more beneficial to New York and those other states.”

“This legislation makes health care affordable for the middle class. No longer will a hard-working American get sick and be unable to seek treatment. Seniors will have more security when it comes to their health care choices. It means that if you lose or change your job, you won’t lose health insurance. If you have a pre-existing condition you will not be denied treatment which will save lives. It means young Americans can remain on their parents’ plan until they are 26 years old, so they can build their own careers without worrying about their health coverage.

“This is a victory for all Americans.”