Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid remarks on the HELP Committee’s passage of their health care reform bill, the Affordable Health Choices Act.
“I want to thank Chairmen Kennedy and Dodd for their tireless work to gain final passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act before the Senate HELP Committee,” Reid says.
Americans called for Congress to reform our health care system and this action is a positive step toward quality and affordable health care that Americans need and deserve. Along with my colleagues in the Senate, I will continue to examine all proposals in the spirit of lowering costs, improving health outcomes and preserving choice for Americans when it comes to their health care. I look forward to considering this legislation along with the Finance Committee product before the August recess. Health care reform is now one step closer to reality because of the diligent work of the members of the HELP Committee.
Senate leaders will have to merge the Finance Committee and HELP Committee bills before a floor debate and vote can happen–but here Reid seems to be saying that he may only be able to get past that first step before the August recess. If that’s right, it stands in contrast to his outlook Monday, when he said “We are going to do health care before we leave.”
