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“I want to join you in acknowledging the important work that USO has done for our troops, for our men and women in uniform, and for when they come home. This event reflects the mission of the USO to bring our troops a little closer to home wherever they are, to boost the morale of our service members and to strengthen the bonds between our armed forces and the American people."

Today, the House is debating the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (HR 3961), companion legislation to the Affordable Health Care for America Act which will permanently reform the way Medicare pays physicians.

“Strengthening Medicare for generations to come is essential to our efforts to reforming health care for all Americans. This legislation will permanently improve the way Medicare pays physicians and in doing so, guarantee that America's seniors will continue to have access to excellent care through Medicare."

This week, Senator Reid and other Senate leaders introduced their merged health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Speaker Pelosi said this morning, "I like what I see in their bill.

Some commentators are repeating misinformation about the provisions of the recently-passed Affordable Health Care for America Act. For example, on Meet the Press earlier this month, commentator David Brooks said:

Senator Robert Byrd's remarkable life is defined by service to his state and to his country. Over the course of his momentous career in the House and the Senate, he has not simply witnessed moments of political progress, he has stood at the forefront of legislative achievements that have improved the lives of millions of Americans.

“The Senate health insurance reform bill is an encouraging development in our drive to make affordable, quality health care available to all Americans. House Democrats look forward to a constructive debate in the Senate and to working together to achieve historic reforms that will make health care more affordable and strengthen our economy.”