Washington, D.C. - House Democrats unveiled a healthcare bill today that proves comprehensive reform is both fiscally responsible and legislatively achievable this year. The plan guarantees quality, affordable care for every American and offsets costs with tough spending cuts and a fairer tax system.

The House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees' sweeping healthcare reform is fully paid for, drives down costs for working Americans, increases choice and competition, improves the quality of care for Americans and ensures shared responsibility for reform across all stakeholders. It recognizes that healthcare must be affordable, cost less and cover more, while providing more and better choices.

This week, the House delivered on a promise they made to the American people last November with a bill that finally makes quality, affordable healthcare for every American a reality," said SEIU President Andy Stern. "These proposals are going to provide the stable, reliable coverage Americans have been desperately waiting decades for. The House's work and their political leadership is just what we need to fix a broken system that costs too much and covers too few.

"The House has seized this moment to ensure affordable coverage for people like Cathy Stoddart, a healthcare professional and SEIU member from Pennsylvania, who was forced into bankruptcy due to her son's medical bills, despite having health insurance. Today, Cathy and millions of workers like her are one step closer to having peace of mind that quality, affordable coverage will be there - no matter what," continued Stern. "Reform would be meaningless if workers like Cathy can't afford to cover what she and her family need to keep them healthy, provide them quality coverage when needed and protect them from out-of-control costs. The House clearly understands that our current path is unsustainable and that the time to act is now."

With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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