Rep. Lujan's Statement on President Obama's Speech to the Joint Session of Congress

Washington, DC - Congressman Ben Ray Lujan made the following statement after President Barack Obama's speech on health insurance reform to a Joint Session of Congress.

"Over the last month I traveled across New Mexico and spoke with many New Mexicans who have been harmed by our badly broken health insurance system. I heard from parents who lost their jobs, and their coverage, making it harder for their families to make ends meet and still receive care. I heard from the mother of a woman suffering from diabetes who could not get insurance because she had a pre-existing condition. Tonight, President Obama shared the experiences others have faced. The reality is clear: these stories are far too common and we need to make health care more affordable and accessible. I applaud the President's commitment to this goal.

In his speech, the President emphasized choice, competition, and cost effectiveness--and I believe that those goals can best be achieved by a public option. This is what I have been saying throughout this process, and I am going to keep fighting to make sure that a public option is included.

I also agree with the President that we need reform that prevents insurance companies from unfairly denying claims, restricting coverage because of pre-existing conditions, arbitrarily setting caps on coverage, or placing limitations on care that your doctor says you need. I am encouraged by the vision that the President laid out tonight, and I hope that we are able to move beyond misconceptions and fear tactics to achieve real reform."

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