In helping craft the health care reform bill, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) was instrumental in creating numerous provisions that will help Iowans and all Americans. The health care bill, H.R. 3962, is currently being debated on the house floor. The bill will insure 96 percent of Americans and provide all Americans with stability and choice with their health care.

“Today, we will vote for a bill that will ensure all Iowans have access to stable, quality, affordable health care," said Congressman Dave Loebsack. “Today, we will make it clear to the country and the world, that America is no longer going to be a country where people are denied health insurance because of pre-existing conditions, that America is no longer going to be a country where people delay pursuing their dreams because they worry they will lose their health insurance, and that America is no longer a going to be a country where people worry that if they do get sick, they will lose their life-savings to pay expenses for catastrophic care.”

In the time leading up to the crafting of H.R. 3962, Congressman Loebsack conducted numerous meetings, town halls, tours, and discussions with the people of Iowa.

“I would like to thank the countless Iowans who came to the town hall meetings, wrote my office, and spoke with me about health care reform,” added Congressman Loebsack. “In the coming weeks and months, we will have much to discuss as health care reform moves forward, and I invite Iowans to call my office and visit my website for health care updates and more information on the health care bill. Together, we have truly created change, and I could not be more proud to be your representative today.”

Below is a timeline of some of the work the Congressman has done to craft real reform for Iowans.

May 26th – Iowa Hospital Tour. Congressman Loebsack takes a health care reform tour, meeting with Iowa providers to discuss services Iowa’s hospitals provide, and their payment delivery systems. The Congressman met with providers at the University of Iowa, Washington Hospital, Unity Healthcare, Greater River Medical Center, Keokuk Hospital, Henry County Health Center, Mercy Medical Center, Jefferson County Health Center, and Ottumwa Hospital.

July 15th – Committee Consideration of Health Care Bill. The Education and Labor Committee, one of the three committees charged with crafting the health care reform bill, begins considering the health care reform bill. Congressman Loebsack raised the issue of regional disparities in the Medicare payment system, which fails to incentivize high-quality, low-cost care.

July 16th – Loebsack Adds Critical Workforce and Direct-Care Provisions to Health Care Bill. Congressman Loebsack adds critical provisions that will help save long term health costs and directly address the problem of workforce shortages. In addition, Congressman Loebsack’s provisions include assistance to family and informal caregivers so that families can continue to provide their loved ones with at home care for as long as possible.

July 23rd – Letter to Leader Urging Fix for Broken Medicare Payment System. Congressman  Loebsack joins several Representatives in sending a letter to House Leadership urging changes to the broken Medicare system. In the letter, Congressman Loebsack, in conjunction with a number of colleagues, advocated for changes to the current Medicare system to incentivize high-quality, low-cost care.

July 24th – Breakthrough Medicare Payment Reform Agreement. Congressman Loebsack, with several Representatives, reaches a landmark agreement to fix the broken Medicare payment system.

August 15th – Town Halls. Congressman Loebsack begins a series of 16 town halls.

October 7th – Telephone Town Hall. Congressman Loebsack hosts a telephone town hall on health care.

October 22nd – Finalize Medicare Reform Agreement. Final legislative language is introduced that will reward states like Iowa for providing high-quality, low-cost care.