Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Monday, December 21, 2009

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Votes to Advance Health Insurance Reform

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted to advance health insurance reform legislation aimed at driving down rising health care costs and extending health care access to millions of Americans who don't currently have it.  The 60-40 vote means this historic bill now has the level of support it needs pass the Senate.

The 1 a.m. Monday vote was the first of as many as three "procedural" votes that will require the support of 60 senators to advance the legislation.  The first vote was to end debate on an amendment to the underlying bill.  That amendment includes a Bingaman-urged provision that protects New Mexico's federal share of Medicaid funds.

"This bill is going to help shrink the nation's deficit and reduce the growth in health care costs that have been crippling family finances.  As a state with one of the fastest rising premium rates and a very high percentage of uninsured residents, New Mexico has a lot to gain from the passage of this bill," Bingaman said.

Bingaman is a member of the two Senate committees that helped write the legislation.

Please click here for more information on health insurance reform.