Statement by American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown on Passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the U.S. House of Representatives

Statement by American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown on Passage of the
Affordable Health Care for America Act in the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today's dramatic vote in the
U.S. House of Representatives brings us one step closer to meaningful health
care reform. We are very pleased that the Affordable Health Care for America
Act makes health care more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans
by enhancing coverage, promoting preventive care and improving delivery of
care. But this milestone also serves as a sober reminder of the tremendous
amount of work we still have before us if we are to ensure that legislation
that ultimately emerges from Congress and is sent to the President retains the
patient protections and provisions that are in line with the association's
tenets of health care reform and are so important to individuals struggling
with heart disease and stroke and their families.

Expanding coverage to an additional 36 million Americans, emphasizing clinical
and population-based prevention and improving the quality and value of care
are core principles and priorities of the American Heart Association. We also
understand that many important issues in health care reform have not been
settled. We hope and trust that the House vote will bring a renewed sense of
optimism to Americans struggling with life-threatening illnesses that
meaningful health care reform is within our grasp. We urge Congress and the
Administration to continue to work tirelessly to make health care reform a
reality this year.

Contact: Suzanne Ffolkes, 202-785-7900

SOURCE American Heart Association

Suzanne Ffolkes, American Heart Association, +1-202-785-7900