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The House of Representatives is poised to vote on historic health reform legislation in the next few days. The latest non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that an additional 32 million Americans will receive coverage if the legislation passes. The CBO further estimates that the bill would reduce the deficit by approximately $138 billion between 2010 and 2019, and predicts continued savings in the following decade.

Many provisions, including those that will protect people from health insurance discrimination would take effect soon.  Click here to see the effective dates of some key insurance reform provisions.

Health care reform will strengthen and improve guaranteed benefits in traditional Medicare. It will protect the integrity of the Medicare program by extending the life of the Medicare Trust Fund and will reduce the outrageous overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans.  It will improve Medicare for all beneficiaries by slowing the growth of premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses, enhancing preventive benefits, and closing the "Donut Hole" gap in prescription drug coverage. Health care reform will also provide coverage to millions of currently uninsured Americans and end discriminatory practices by insurance companies. Passing this legislation will strengthen Medicare, bring a similar promise of health coverage to younger people, and increase the economic security of all Americans.

It’s time to pass health care reform - now.