Washington, D.C. – After extensive conversations with her constituents, including her “Medicine Cabinet,” Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) today indicated her intention to vote in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. 

“The present system of emergency room health care is unsustainable,” said Harman.  “I’ve said all along that our reform efforts should improve the quality of care while making the system more affordable and accessible.  The bill before the House goes a long way toward achieving those goals and I intend to vote for it.”

Harman’s Medicine Cabinet, which is comprised of health, wellness, and medical experts from her district, has advised her on health-related policy issues since she was elected in 1992.  In a conference call on Tuesday, Medicine Cabinet members expressed support for the reform, calling it a good first step toward reforming the health care system.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act includes provisions that address several of Harman’s health care reform priorities, including a public insurance option to encourage market competition and language allowing that the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower Medicare prescription rates.  Other provisions promote wellness and preventive care and encourage an increase in primary care physicians. 

“I strongly support a robust public insurance option, and still would prefer that approach,” said Harman. “But this bill represents a reasonable compromise that will make significant improvements to America’s health care system.  It moves us toward better, more affordable care for millions of Americans, including my constituents.  That’s what really matters.”

Harman has broken with her fiscally conservative colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition on the public option, but shares their view that health care reform should not add to the federal deficit.

“In this economy, we need to keep our nation’s fiscal house in order.  I’m pleased that the House bill is deficit neutral,” said Harman.

According to figures from the Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will improve the employer-based coverage for the 427,000 residents of California’s 36th Congressional District who already have it and provide coverage for 74,000 people who are currently uninsured.  Roughly 130,000 families in the 36th District would be eligible for credits to help pay for coverage, and local hospitals and health care providers will save an estimated $22 million in uncompensated care.

Harman has spoken to Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Vice President Joe Biden about her support for including the Kucinich Amendment in the Manager’s Amendment to H.R. 3962.  Adopted in the House Education and Labor Committee, the Kucinich Amendment gives states the option of adopting single-payer health care plans.

“While I prefer the public option/exchange model at the federal level, I think we should not block states from trying the single-payer model,” said Harman.