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Blog Post
New Momentum for America's Affordable Health Choices Act
July 27, 2009
Momentum continues to build for America's Affordable Health Choices Act because it is becoming more clear that the cost of inaction--to American families and the U.S. economy--is too high and the bill delivers on its promise to lower costs, provide greater choice, increase quality, and provide stability and peace of mind.

Editorials Agree on Need for Reform

Concord Monitor (New Hampshire), 7/26/09

Blog Post
Pelosi Remarks at Press Availability on Health Insurance Reform
July 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Caucus Chairman John Larson, Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra, and Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen held a press availability this afternoon in the Capitol on health insurance reform.  Below is a transcript of the Speaker's opening remarks, closing statement, and question and answer session.

Speaker Pelosi Opening Remarks:

Blog Post
CBO Confirms America's Affordable Health Choices Act Delivers
July 27, 2009
Over the weekend, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) affirmed that America's Affordable Health Choices Act would deliver targeted assistance to those in need today and lead to an increase in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. The CBO analysis confirms that bill's provisions would result in dramatically increased coverage without crowding out private insurance.
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Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Labor, HHS, Appropriations Bill, Which Lifts Ban on Needle Exchange
July 24, 2009
“The fiscal year 2010 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations bill includes strong increases for key health, education and worker training initiatives, including NIH research, Pell Grants, Head Start and clean energy jobs..."
Blog Post
Sound Science In the Labor, HHS, Appropriations Bill
July 24, 2009
This afternoon, the House passed the fiscal year 2010 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations bill by a vote of 264 to 153. The bill makes critical investments in our country's long term prosperity by funding health, education and worker training initiatives, including NIH research, Pell Grants, Head Start and clean energy jobs.

The bill also ends a ban against federal funding for needle exchange programs, putting science first in our public health policy.

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Millions Of Hardworking Americans Are Getting A Raise Today
July 24, 2009
Today the minimum wage increases by 70 cents, from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour -- the final of three increases to take effect under legislation enacted by the Democratic Congress in 2007. The wage increase will help an estimated 4.5 million workers in 31 states provide for their families. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that this increased purchasing power will boost consumer spending by more than $5.5 billion over the next year and result in $120 in extra monthly income for the average worker.

More on those who will benefit:

Blog Post
In The News: Americans Want Health Insurance Reform Now
July 23, 2009
Recent polls and studies continue to find significant support for health insurance reform -- even as political attacks and misinformation heat up around America's Affordable Health Choices Act:

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released today shows support remains strong:

Blog Post
Health Insurance Reform and Medical Costs
July 23, 2009
America's Affordable Health Choices Act takes a number of steps to ensure that when Americans face a health crisis, they don't also face a financial crisis. Yesterday, Speaker Pelosi and Reps. Xavier Becerra, Donna Edwards, Rosa DeLauro, and Mary Jo Kilroy held a press conference on the critical need to address crushing health care costs.
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Myth Vs. Fact On Republican Leader's Op-Ed On Health Insurance Reform Legislation
July 22, 2009
On Monday, Republican Leader Boehner published an Op-Ed on Yahoo! on America's Affordable Health Choices Act -- the House health insurance reform bill. This Op-Ed contained many myths about the bill:

BOEHNER'S MYTH: More than 100 million Americans would be forced onto a government-run health plan under the House bill.

Blog Post
Paying As We Go
July 22, 2009
Today, the House passed the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act 2009 (HR 2920) by a vote of 265-166. This bill requires Congress to offset the costs of tax cuts or increases in entitlement spending with savings elsewhere in the budget. If the net effect of all legislation enacted during a session of Congress increased the deficit, there would be an across-the-board reduction in certain mandatory programs.