Pelosi on President Obama's Health Reform Speech: 'The Time to Act Is Now; And We Will'

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement tonight after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on the urgent need for health insurance reform:

"Tonight, President Obama made a forceful case to the Congress and the country for long-overdue health insurance reform. We are closer than ever before in history to real progress on this issue that touches the lives of every American and impacts our economy: ensuring stability and security for Americans with health insurance, and affordable coverage for those currently without.

"Members of Congress heard the President's address tonight after weeks of lively discussion in their districts. The input of Americans informs our debate and makes clear still the work before us to explain these reforms. But as the President said: the time to act is now. And we will -- on behalf of our constituents, our health care system, and our economy.

"Among the bills that are moving forward in Congress, there is broad consensus. All of these bills meet the principles President Obama laid out tonight that reform must lower costs, ensure that Americans cannot be denied coverage because they get sick, and provide access to affordable health care for all. Now we will work toward consensus on reform that will make us a healthier America, and do so in a fiscally responsible way. And we will pass this legislation this year. Those who oppose reform and support the status quo are only helping to bankrupt our economy and middle-class families.

"President Obama was clear tonight that a public health insurance option is the best way to create the needed competition that will lower cost, improve quality, and preserve choice for all Americans. An overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives agrees. And the President challenged those who oppose this common-sense approach -- or worse yet, distort its actual role in reform -- to bring forward their own ideas that will achieve lower costs for Americans, promote competition and keep the insurance companies honest."