Healthcare vote to come Saturday, Larsen says

A vote on the healthcare reform bill being scrutinized in Congress will come Saturday, said Congressman Rick Larsen.

Congress is currently considering the the Affordable Health Care for American Act, and Larsen, D-2nd District, said a vote had been scheduled for Saturday.

Larsen said the bill, HR 392, has his support.

“After a full review of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, I am announcing my support for this important legislation," Larsen said in a statement released late Wednesday. "I support healthcare reform. The status quo is unacceptable."

“I believe that a vote in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act is the right vote for Washington’s 2nd Congressional district," he said.

Larsen said the law, if passed, would give relief to small business owners and help those without health insurance get coverage.

He said the bill would mean 104,000 people in the 2nd District who don't have health insurance would be able to get it.

"The bill improves the Medicare program for our seniors," he added. "And the bill stops the discrimination for people who have been denied coverage, or charged through the roof, because of their age or gender, or because they have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or cancer."

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