Governor Doyle Statement on Passage of National Health Insurance Reform

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today issued the following statement after the United States House of Representatives voted to pass historic health insurance reform that will benefit families and small businesses throughout the state:

“In the past seven years, we have worked hard to expand health care coverage and make Wisconsin America's health care leader. Through our efforts, Wisconsin now ranks first for health care quality, second in access to coverage, and every single child has access to health care.

“In addition to our successful state efforts, national health insurance reform will extend coverage to more than 172,000 Wisconsin residents and will benefit families and small businesses throughout the state.

“This health insurance reform plan puts American families and small businesses in charge of their own health care and makes health insurance more affordable.

“While some of the reforms will take time to fully implement, many benefits will begin this year. Small business owners will receive tax credits to buy health insurance, insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition, nor will they be able to drop someone's coverage when they get sick and need it the most."