Owens announces he will support "Affordable Healthcare for America Act"
Friday, November 06, 2009, 2:59pm
New 23rd District Congressman Bill Owens says he will support H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Healthcare for America Act" – especially if there are a couple of changes he would like to make.
"This legislation will reform the insurance industry and provide increased access to affordable healthcare without taxing healthcare benefits, cutting Medicare benefits or raising taxes on the middle class, and that is exactly the direction we need to go," said Owens.
"There are still changes I would like to make, including raising the payroll exemption for small businesses.”
In addition, Owens showed concern for provisions that would prevent paper producers from receiving a tax credit for the production of certain wood by-products. "Forestry and the paper-products industry are incredibly important to our community, and I will be looking for way to ensure that they are not unduly burdened in any healthcare legislation," Owens said.
The bill is intended to provide affordable, quality healthcare for Americans and reduce the growth in healthcare spending.
H.R. 3962 would end the ability of insurance companies to deny care based on pre-existing conditions, and would reduce the federal deficit by $104 billion over the next decade. The bill also includes an exemption for small businesses with a payroll of less than $500,000.
This legislation is endorsed by AARP and the American Medical Association, among other organizations.
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