The Senate voted to end debate on their healthcare legislation to move the process toward reconciling the Senate’s and House’s healthcare bills. Rep. John Conyers issued a statement in response to the Senate’s vote. Key portions of his statement follow:

Last night’s vote in the Senate should be applauded for what it was: an affirmative statement by that body that comprehensive health care reform legislation should not be held captive any longer by a select few. . [However, w]ithout material changes, this legislation will be reform in name only. .

I supported the House bill because it included serious provisions aimed at helping individuals who currently cannot afford to purchase health care by providing subsidies and expanding Medicaid to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The Senate bill passed last night does not ensure this same level of affordability ..

Similarly, I supported the House bill because I believe that it is immoral to continue to allow the private health insurance industry to operate without any real checks on its ability to charge unaffordable premiums and deny needed care. That is why I believe competition, as provided through a national Medicare-like public health insurance option and the repeal of the industry’s antitrust exemption, is a necessary component of true reform.

. [T]he excise tax levied on certain “Cadillac” employer-based health care plans in the Senate legislation must be altered. For years, many workers chose to forgo wage increases in exchange for helping their employers offer comprehensive health care plans. . I strongly support the House’s approach to financing health care: an excise tax on the incomes of extremely wealthy Americans.

I look forward to working with the Senate and House Leadership to ensure that the final health care bill address[es] these core principles of affordability, competition, and progressive financing. .

Representative Conyers has again shown that his priorities lie with the American people.

In solidarity,

Tim Carpenter, National Director

Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal in 2009: Work with and increase the progressive majority in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA’s advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood.

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