Senate passage of health insurance reform bill: Speaker Nancy Pelosi issues statement

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this morning on the Senate voting 60 to 39 to pass historic health insurance reform legislation:

"Today's vote in the United States Senate brings us closer to providing quality, affordable health insurance to every American. I commend Senator Reid for his strong leadership in passing this bill, which takes a critical step on behalf of the health and security of all Americans.

"We are proud of the House bill, which provides more affordable coverage for the middle class, covers 36 million currently uninsured Americans, begins health insurance reform in 2013, fully closes the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, mandates strong reforms of the insurance industry, and is fiscally responsible, cutting the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years.

"As we move forward through the legislative process, we will soon produce a final bill that is founded on the core principles of health insurance reform: affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors, responsibility to our children by reducing the deficit, and accountability for the insurance industry.

"I look forward to working with Members of the House, the Senate, and President Obama to reconcile our bills and send the final legislation to the President's desk as soon as possible."