Wavering New York Congressman John Hall (NY-19) announced tonight that he would be voting "Yes" on the Health Care Reform package tomorrow. Below the fold is the text of an email which he sent out to constituents and supporters this evening
Dear Friends,
After listening to thousands of constituents, meeting with health care professionals, and reading the pending health care insurance reform bills, I have decided to vote YES on Sunday.
I held more than 80 public events and meetings to get input from local families, businesses, and health care professionals. I’ve heard from local business owners in Stony Point and Somers who told me they couldn't afford the annual double digit increases in the insurance premiums for their employees. I sat in a living room in Warwick where a woman told me her insurance company canceled her policy while she was undergoing treatments for breast cancer. I heard from countless Seniors who are trapped in the Medicare donut hole and have to choose between food and medicine
because they can't afford to pay more for their prescription drugs.
Tomorrow the House of Representatives will take an up or down vote. I will be voting YES and here is why. The bill:
Immediately protects people with preexisting conditions
Prevents insurance companies from dropping people when they get sick
Prohibits annual and lifetime caps on benefits
Closes the Medicare donut hole for prescription drugs
Provides tax credits for small businesses who provide coverage for their employees
Allows young people to stay on their parents' coverage until they turn 26, and
Allows 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured to have access to high quality, affordable health care
You elected me to solve the problems we face. The status quo is unacceptible. We all know someone who is harmed by the current health insurance system. Just saying no will not change anything. This bill demonstrates we can make progress towards achieving our goals.
I will cast my vote YES
Sincerely,
John Hall
Hall, a Yes vote on the original House package and a strong supporter of a vigorous public option, had been on the fence after receiving tons of calls opposing health care reform. But calls in favor picked up (h/t to dge for his diary urging calls) and he has decided to come down in favor.