Manuel Lujan: “During these difficult economic times that we're facing, it's critical that we make job creation a top priority. That is…”

“During these difficult economic times that we're facing, it's critical that we make job creation a top priority. That is why I'm concerned about the impact H.R. 2 will have on small businesses. The Republican plan will repeal a 35 percent tax credit for small businesses that offer health insurance to their employees. It would allow insurers to deny a business coverage if their employees had preexisting conditions. As a result of health insurance reform, New Mexicans no longer face this discrimination. If this protection is repealed, having cancer or diabetes or even being a victim of domestic violence could lead to a denial of insurance. Discrimination for preexisting conditions will be alive and well. All of that would be dangerous for New Mexicans. People like Yvonne from Santa Fe would once again have to worry about losing their health care. Yvonne lost her job when the company she worked for was shipped overseas. Yvonne was diabetic, and because of the high cost of COBRA, she was forced to ration her medicine. As a result, she became gravely ill and had to visit the emergency room. There, doctors noticed another problem that required further examination. Yet because Yvonne could not afford COBRA and because private insurance companies would not insure her because she had diabetes, the hospital released her. The only option Yvonne had left was to wait 2 months to be seen at the University of New Mexico Hospital.”