Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Jeff Bingaman today said the House of Representatives has proposed important changes to pending health insurance reform bill aimed at ensuring that insurance policies are both meaningful and affordable, further helping states pay for Medicaid, and defraying the cost of seniors' prescription drugs.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved health insurance legislation in December focused on containing the rising cost of healthcare, improving the quality of care and extending coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.  The House of Representatives is expected to take up the legislation as soon as Sunday, at which point it would be signed into law by the president.

At the same time, the House also would consider a separate, smaller bill that would improve upon the Senate legislation.  The Senate would have to pass this bill before it could be enacted into law.

"Taken together, these two bills would have a dramatic impact on New Mexico – a state with the fastest rising health insurance premiums and the second highest uninsured rate.  They will help contain health care costs, improve the quality of health care, and extend coverage to those who don't have it," Bingaman said.  "We cannot afford the status quo.  We must fix our broken health care system, and these two bills will help us do just that."