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Press Releases
CONGRESSMAN TONKO TOUTS BENEFITS OF HEALTH CARE REFORM
Albany, NY,
April 7, 2010
Congressman Paul Tonko held a news conference at the Whitney Young Health Center in Albany Wednesday morning to highlight how the new health care reform law will benefit residents of the Capital Region.
Congressman Paul Tonko held a news conference at the Whitney Young Health Center in Albany Wednesday morning to highlight how the new health care reform law will benefit residents of the Capital Region. Congressman Tonko was joined at the news conference by Whitney Young Chief Medical Officer and co-CEO Dr. Kallanna Manjunath and three residents of the 21st Congressional District, who shared their own personal stories of how health care reform will change their lives. “It is time for the political rhetoric to end, and time to hear the truth about how health care reform will come to benefit a broad spectrum of Americans,” said Congressman Tonko. “As we move forward you will hear many of the stories like those you heard today – detailing how this new reform will make health care more affordable and accessible, and improve coverage for young and old alike.” Health care costs for families are skyrocketing – projections show that without any action, the cost of family coverage would increase $1,800 per year – and within a decade, the average cost for a family of four would be $31,000. These costs increases are unaffordable for most Americans and American businesses. The new law will offer tax breaks for the middle class to help make health insurance more affordable, as well as capping out of pocket expenses. The plan also provides tax cuts for small businesses. Medicare will be strengthened through improved prescription drug coverage and the elimination of co-payments for preventative care and screenings. This plan also offers help for young adults just graduating college or trying to find work. It will allow them to stay on their parent’s insurance policy up to age 26. Congressman Tonko added: “In the days since this bill has passed, some have called for the provisions of this bill to be repealed. I believe these voices will be silenced as the true benefits of this reform are realized.” Three Capital Region residents also spoke at the news conference about how they will benefit from the new law: · Lisa Scerbo owns Hot Shots Photo in Latham. This small business owner had to drop her insurance coverage when the cost became unaffordable. · Cassandra Campbell is an Albany resident who lost her job and her insurance after battling colon cancer. She went without insurance for 18 months because of the cost and her medical history. The only medical care she was able to receive was cancer screenings through New York’s Cancer Services program. · Kyle Guay is a student at the Albany College of Pharmacy who was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Because of this new law, he will be able to stay on his parents’ insurance after graduation to manage the diagnosis. # # #
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