(Washington, DC) - On Thursday morning, October 29, 2009, the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled the health care reform bill that is the merged product of the three different bills passed by the House Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means Committees - The Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962.  Congressman Baron Hill continues reviewing both the bill and daily comments and concerns from his constituents.  Hill issued the following statement this morning:

“I am not entirely sure when the House will vote on H.R. 3962.  But, I am still preparing as if the vote will be called soon.  To that end, I have reviewed the bill line-by-line, been in many meetings on this issue, and check in with my staff periodically throughout each day to look over the messages from constituents. 

I did receive some district-specific figures yesterday as to how the Affordable Health Care for America Act will potentially impact the Ninth District.  Some of these numbers are quite striking and heartening.  For example, according to these estimates, the bill will allow several thousand small businesses in Southern Indiana to obtain affordable health care coverage for their employees, and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for a similarly significant number. 

Small business workers pay an average of 18 percent more in premiums than those in large firms for the same benefits.  Their deductibles are more than double.  And, insurance costs for small businesses have increased 129 percent since 2000.

I have heard from numerous Southern Indiana small business owners who want to provide coverage for their employees and cannot afford to, or who currently provide coverage but cannot sustain the rate at which the premiums are so rapidly increasing.  That is, and has been, one of my primary concerns about health care reform.  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, which is why I was particularly pleased that my language protecting small businesses by bumping up the requirement for exemption from mandatory coverage is included in H.R. 3962.

This is only one aspect of the bill, but hopefully serves as an indicator to how closely I am reviewing the bill and its impact on my constituents.  I would also encourage folks to continue contacting me with their comments and concerns.”

Constituents can read The Affordable Health Care for America Act in its entirety here, http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf.