(BOSTON, MA) – “The bill released yesterday, making improvements to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, brings our country one step closer to reform that will improve our broken health care system. The stakes are high with this historic legislation, and the changes it would bring to the lives of millions of people are real.

“We strongly encourage passage of both PPACA and the amendment. As a national advocacy organization actively working in more than 40 states to ensure consumers have a strong voice in improving America’s health care system, we are very pleased with the efforts of members of the House of Representatives in shaping the legislation that moves us one step closer to comprehensive health care reform.

“We also thank the leadership of both chambers and the Administration for their commitment and dedication to fixing our broken health care system. We appreciate the time and care they have taken to listen to the concerns of consumers across the country and move this important process forward.

“The Amendments released yesterday build on the strengths of the House and Senate bills through critical consumer protections such as programs to contain health costs and make insurance policies more affordable, greater accountability from health insurance companies, improved choice and competition, and better access to quality affordable health care for vulnerable populations.

“With our on-the-ground experience implementing health care reform in states, Community Catalyst understands the concrete benefits this bill will bring. We encourage the House to pass this critical legislation, and will then focus our efforts on the Senate to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care they can afford.”

About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to quality affordable health care for all.  Since 1997, Community Catalyst has been working to build the consumer and community leadership required to transform the American health system.  With the belief that this transformation will happen when consumers are fully engaged and have an organized voice, Community Catalyst works in partnership with national, state and local consumer organizations, policymakers, and foundations, providing leadership and support to change the health care system so it serves everyone – especially vulnerable members of society.  For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.

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