Press Releases :: September 23, 2009

Baldwin Strengthens Health Care Reform Legislation

Committee Vote Moves Health Care Reform Forward

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today helped strengthen the health care reform legislation now before Congress. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Baldwin sits, completed its final action on H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.

Baldwin offered an amendment to improve health care for those individuals eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. “These are our most vulnerable adults - the disabled, elderly, and frail,” explained Baldwin. “My amendment strengthens the capacity for the Medicare and Medicaid programs to serve this population,” she said. Baldwin’s amendment also extends certain types of health insurance plans called “Special Needs Plans” which successfully integrate Medicare and Medicaid benefits to provide coordinated, quality care.

The Committee adopted Baldwin’s amendment and a number of others, with bipartisan support. The Energy and Commerce bill now goes to the Rules Committee to be adopted into the final bill voted on by the House of Representatives.