Healthcare

I believe the strength of our communities depends on the health of our people. Unfortunately, quality, affordable care remains out of reach for far too many South Dakotans. Ensuring every American has access to quality, affordable health care has never been more important. Access to quality and affordable health care should not be considered a luxury for hardworking families in South Dakota. I am dedicated to improving our health care system and searching for innovative ways to make quality health care more affordable and accessible.

The Congress has already passed important health care legislation in 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which I supported, includes provisions to help improve health care quality and lower costs, including costs businesses incur providing health care coverage for their employees. The Act funds prevention and wellness initiatives and assists physicians and hospitals speed up the adoption of Health Information Technology systems, which will lead to cost savings estimated at $12 billion for the federal government. To prevent cuts to important health services, the recovery package also provides a substantial increase in federal matching funds for Medicaid to help states like South Dakota that were facing budget deficits due to the economic recession.

In addition, the Congress passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, which I also supported. With a weak economy and unemployment taking its toll on families across our state, this legislation will preserve coverage for the nearly seven million children currently covered by the program and reach approximately four million more uninsured American children in the next five years.

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