Mike Collins: “I rise to support this health care bill that will make health care more available and affordable for millions of…”

“I rise to support this health care bill that will make health care more available and affordable for millions of Americans. This is a health care bill the American people have wanted for years. And this Congress was able to accomplish this without a Government takeover of health care. Two key provisions of this reform bill will eliminate health coverage exclusions based on pre-existing conditions and expand the portability of health care insurance plans for workers. American workers will no longer have to fear losing their health care coverage if they change jobs. And, people can change jobs without losing their health insurance even if they have a pre-existing condition. These are major breakthroughs in health care. We created Medical Savings Accounts to allow small business employees and the self-employed to make tax deductible contributions to a savings account if they choose to purchase a high deductible health plan. We increased to 80 percent the tax deduction self-employed individuals can claim for health insurance. We included tax deductions for nursing home and home health care insurance and approved accelerated death benefits which will provide Americans more access to health care. Finally, the legislation fights fraud and abuse in the health care industry by creating new criminal penalties and by increasing funding for prosecutions and investigations.”