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WASHINGTON D.C.-- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach (FL-24), issued the following statement on her intent to vote in favor of the health care reform legislation being considered by Congress:
"Last November, I voted against health care reform because I did not believe the bill before the House was fiscally responsible. Health care reform is, at its core, an economic issue, and addressing rising costs was always one of my highest priorities. Last year's bill simply did not do enough to rein in costs or to reduce the federal deficit.
"The bill before us now represents the single largest deficit reduction effort in over a decade, saving nearly $140 billion in the first 10 years and over $1.2 trillion in the decade to follow. This legislation provides truly fiscally responsible reform, and it contains the strongest measures ever enacted to help eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the system, to rein in skyrocketing health care costs, and to stabilize Medicare while preserving benefits.
"Families and individuals can keep what they have and can continue choosing their doctors. Small businesses get $40 billion in tax credits to provide care and can join together in exchanges that offer affordable choices. And reform will close the donut hole in Medicare prescription drug coverage while improving benefits for our seniors and stabilizing the system over the long haul.
"This health care reform bill also holds insurance companies accountable by preventing them from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions, by making sure they can't take away your coverage if you get sick, and by eliminating the arbitrary caps on coverage that send many families into bankruptcy.
"We now have a bill that, while not perfect, represents the change needed to put the economy and our health care system on a sustainable and positive path - a bill that includes numerous ideas from both Republicans and Democrats.
"It was my commitment to families and businesses in Florida's 24th District to be a voice for fiscally responsible, common-sense solutions and positive change for our children and their children. This bill represents those priorities, and that is why I will vote yes."