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Franken restates support for HC bill, acknowledges it will change
Posted by: Eric Roper under Health care, Minnesota U.S. senators Updated: November 21, 2009 - 1:53 PM
As the Senate prepares to take its first key vote on health care reform this evening, Sen. Al Franken restated his support for the bill although amendments may make it "less to my liking."
Speaking on the floor moments ago, Franken said, "Make no mistake. This bill will change. There will be amendments to it that make it an even better bill. And there may be amendments that make it less to my liking, and therefore a less good bill from my point of view. But the final bill will make health care available to tens of millions more Americans."
He cited insurance company profits as an example of why he feels health care reform must pass.
"From 2000 to 2007, American families saw their premiums almost double. During that same time, we saw more than six million more Americans became uninsured. And during that same time, insurance company profits rose 428 percent. 428 percent. That’s all you need to know, that's all you need to know to understand why we have to pass this bill. 482 percent in 8 years. No wonder they’re fighting this bill. Of course they don’t want to be subject to antitrust laws. They’re making outrageous profits by gouging American families. Make no mistake, that’s what this is about."
Sen. Amy Klobuchar is expected to speak later this afternoon, ahead of a scheduled 8 p.m. vote. Though the vote is on whether to continue debate, it is largely seen as a first key test of the bill in the Senate.
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