ATLANTA (May 29, 2009) – Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) this week joined U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) in a series of events around Atlanta to encourage support for Sen. Conyers’ universal health care bill (House Resolution 676). Dubbed “health care for all” legislation, the bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that improves and expands the already existing Medicare program to all U.S. residents.
“The debate over health care is reaching a critical juncture in our nation. Now is the time for Americans to tell their political leaders that they want comprehensive health care reform,” said Orrock. “I am honored to join Rep. Conyers today in getting the word out to Georgians that high quality, affordable health care can be accessible to everyone.”
There are 47 million uninsured Americans and another 50 million who are underinsured. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income or health care status.
Under HR 676, overall health care costs will be reduced, so that families and businesses will pay less. Currently, the average family of four covered under an employee health plan spends a total of $4,225 on health care annually. This figure does not include the additional 1.45 percent Medicare payroll tax levied on employees. Studies have shown that under H.R. 676, a family of four making the median family income of $56,200 per year would pay about $2,700 for all health care costs.
Sen. Orrock and Rep. Conyers joined other community leaders, uninsured and underinsured patients and health care workers for a press conference at Grady Memorial Hospital to emphasize the need for and support of HR 676. A reception with elected officials and community leaders followed later in the day, ending with a public rally at the IBEW Building in Atlanta.
Sen. Nan Orrock represents the 36th Senate District which is part of the City of Atlanta in Fulton County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.8054 or via e-mail at nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 29, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028