In the News

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Praises Senate Democrats For Voting to Pass Health Insu

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
For Immediate Release: Dec. 24, 2009

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Praises Senate Democrats For Voting to Pass Health Insurance Reform
Tallahassee, FL – Today, in an historic Christmas Eve vote, the Senate voted to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  The bill passed with unanimous support from Democrats despite weeks of Republican stall tactics and attempts to keep the bill from coming to a vote.  In response, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement: 
“Today’s vote marks an historic moment in the decades-long struggle to pass comprehensive health reform. This is the most significant development in domestic policy since Social Security was created – it is the largest expansion of coverage since Medicare and the greatest deficit reduction package passed in the last decade.
“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will end decades of unfair insurance industry practices that have hurt Floridians, provide quality, affordable options for the uninsured and will reduce costs for families, businesses and the country as a whole.  It will expand coverage to more than 30 million Americans while reducing the deficit by more than $130 billion in the next 10 years.
“This bill is a clear victory for Floridians.  It will deliver on the promises President Obama has made since the health care debate began – reducing costs, providing quality, affordable choices for the uninsured and providing stability and security for those who already have coverage.
“While the legislation received unanimous support from Democrats, it passed without a single Republican vote.  Sadly, Sen. George LeMieux and the Republican Party have shown once again that they will stop at nothing to see the President fail.  As we approach the 2010 elections, Sen. LeMieux and his Republican colleagues will need to explain to voters why he chose to side with the health insurance executives over Florida’s families.
“So today we thank President Obama, Sen. Bill Nelson and Senate Democrats for their strong leadership on this issue and continue to offer our support as they move closer than ever to making comprehensive health insurance reform a reality for Floridians.”
-###-

Stay in Touch