Jeff Bingaman: “since this is the 2-year anniversary of the passage of the health care reform law, the affordable care act, and since…”

“since this is the 2-year anniversary of the passage of the health care reform law, the affordable care act, and since the Supreme Court, of course, is meeting across the street hearing various arguments attacking the legislation--they heard arguments this morning; they are going to hear arguments again tomorrow morning; and they are going to hear arguments again Wednesday morning-- I believe it is a crucial time to remind all Americans why this law was needed, why it still is needed, and how it will benefit families across this country. In my view, there is considerable confusion about what the health care reform legislation will accomplish. And I am not surprised. The opponents of the legislation have worked hard in the last couple of years trying to confuse many Americans into thinking the bill contains all kinds of nefarious provisions. The Kaiser Family Foundation did a poll, however, that demonstrated when Americans are asked about the actual provisions that are contained in the law, there is strong bipartisan support for those reforms. So I wish to take a little time to straighten out what the provisions in the law are and how I see them impacting on our health care system. Health care reform was needed when it was enacted 2 years ago for two important reasons. First, before reform--and even today--one in six Americans was uninsured. That number was growing, is still growing. In my home State of New Mexico, the situation was even worse.…”