Max Baucus: “Today marks 6 months since Congress enacted the new health care reform law. Americans have reason to celebrate. The new…”

“Today marks 6 months since Congress enacted the new health care reform law. Americans have reason to celebrate. The new law put America on the road to a more sustainable consumer-friendly health care system. The new law put America on the road to a healthcare system in which all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance. And the new law put America on the road to a health care system in which patients and their doctors--not insurance companies--control patient care. These transformative changes will not happen overnight. But we heard the distressed cries from American families and businesses for immediate relief from insurer abuses. Congress included in the new health reform law many consumer protection provisions that take effect today, September 23, 2010. These provisions--a new Patient's Bill of Rights--put an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses. The new law puts consumers in control of their health care decisions. And the new law extends important new coverage benefits under insurance plans. Starting today plans cannot discriminate against children with preexisting conditions.”