Washington, DC - All around this country, families are struggling with mounting healthcare debt, small business owners are wondering if they will have to shutter their doors, and healthcare providers are witnessing one tragic story after another because of the weight our current healthcare system is putting on our shoulders. By passing the President's budget, Congress has taken a giant step toward fulfilling President Obama's promise to reform the American healthcare system," said SEIU President Andy Stern. "The President's budget puts a real down-payment toward guaranteeing the quality, affordable healthcare Americans deserve. The budget addresses our healthcare crisis now and has built-in ways to pay for the reforms Americans desperately need.

Healthcare reform is a key element of the change voters demanded in November. Today, the Congress listened to the American people and passed a budget that will do more to reform the American healthcare system in one year than has been done in the last two decades. It's about time - the longer we wait, the worse this crisis will get. Americans are facing a banking crisis, record foreclosures, record unemployment, and skyrocketing healthcare costs. They shouldn't have to choose between taking their child to the doctor and paying their bills.

"Now is the time to take action, and the solution is clear," said Stern. "We need to create a new healthcare system that delivers high quality, affordable healthcare to every man, woman, and child in America. This budget is a solid blueprint for the kind of change the system needs."

Crushing healthcare costs have made it impossible to strengthen our economy and are hurting the competiveness of American businesses big and small. Congress has taken concrete steps toward improving American healthcare by mapping out a responsible way to pay for the reform America needs while cutting the deficit in half by 2013.

"The budget, and the Congress' commitment to investing in our country's future, lays the foundation for addressing long neglected problems facing working families and our economy. The Congress has set us on the path to guaranteeing everyone access to quality, affordable healthcare. Now, the work to create a system worthy of the American people begins."

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