Kerry Echoes Obama's Call for Comprehensive Health Reform

Friday, Sep 11,2009, 11:37:21 AM Click:

Contact: Jodi Seth/Whitney Smith, 202-224-4159

Calls on Congress to Deliver On Cause of Ted Kennedy's Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member of the Finance Committee, released the following statement on President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress calling for comprehensive health insurance reform:

"Tonight President Obama regained the initiative in a debate that must be won this year - not for a party, but for people who desperately need relief. This was a presidential moment and real presidential leadership. Americans need a real debate -- no more distortions, no more political games, no more scare tactics, it's time for leaders everywhere to find the common ground to do what's right for our country.

"It won't be easy, it will require tough decisions and hard-fought compromise, but letting another year go by without reforming health care is not an option. Now is the moment to achieve affordable insurance for those who don't have it, stability for those who do, and cost controls for the businesses struggling to provide it to their workers.

"I was pleased to see the President made a compelling case for one of the ideas I've advanced on the Finance Committee - a meeting in the middle to control costs by placing an excise tax on insurers who offer high cost plans - a proposal that should be targeted to protect hard working Americans. Now we need to find Republicans willing to find those kinds of compromises for the greater good. That's what our friend Ted Kennedy did at times like these, and there's no greater action we can take now to honor his legacy than to deliver on the cause of his life."

# # #

---------------------

Whitney Smith

Press Secretary

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.)

202-224-4159