Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman voted to keep the many benefits of the new health insurance law intact for New Mexicans.

Bingaman helped write the new health insurance reform law.  The law works to contain the rising cost of care, lowers Medicare costs for Seniors, improves the quality of care, and extends care to millions of Americans who don't have it.

Already, the most vulnerable Americans are reaping the benefits of the law.  Children with chronic illnesses – such as diabetes – can no longer be denied insurance policies.  Young adults can remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26.  In addition, seniors in New Mexico have saved millions of dollars in Medicare costs and hundreds of New Mexicans with health problems have received access to health insurance through a new high risk pool.

More improvements are coming.  The law requires every state to set up insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, by 2014.  Every American would be able to purchase an insurance plan through the exchange, and many would receive financial aid to do so.

The Senate voted today on an amendment offered by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that would have repealed the entire law.  Bingaman voted against the measure, as did a majority of the Senate.

"No state will benefit from the Affordable Care Act more than New Mexico," Bingaman said.  "Unfortunately, we have one of the most uninsured states in the country.  We also have some of the fastest rising insurance premiums in the nation."

"This law gives more New Mexicans access to affordable health care while helping to contain the skyrocketing costs of those New Mexicans who already have health insurance," Bingaman said. "Without this law, costs would continue to escalate and thousands of New Mexican would not have access to even the most basic health care."

The law also reduces the federal deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years.  In addition to canceling important health insurance reforms, repealing the law would have had a huge impact on our deficit.

Also today, the Senate voted to repeal one provision of the health care law that would have required businesses to send a 1099 tax form to all vendors paid more than $600 for goods and services, rather than to vendors paid more than $600 for just services, as is current law.  Bingaman voted to approve an amendment that repealed the goods and services provision.

"I have spoken to many New Mexico small businesses about this requirement, and I understand it would have been burdensome," Bingaman said.  "I'm glad we have the support to repeal this provision."

The amendment was made part of a bill that reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration.  The Senate will continue to debate and amendment that bill before it is taken to a final vote.