Udall: Senate passes historic health reform legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today voted in favor of historic health care reform legislation that will provide quality, affordable health coverage to 96 percent of New Mexicans while reducing health care costs for individuals, businesses and government. The Senate approved the bill 60-39.

The legislation, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, expands health care coverage to 31 million Americans, including 305,000 additional New Mexicans. It also reduces the federal deficit by $132 billion in the first 10 years, provides critical support for small businesses, expands access to preventive care and increases access to care in rural areas, and permanently reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

“Americans have waited generations for health care reform and, with this legislation, we establish a strong foundation for us to build upon moving forward,” Udall said. “This bill provides stability and security to those who have insurance, extends coverage to those who don’t, and lowers costs for families, businesses and governments across the country.”