FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Iowa Health Care for America Now Thanks Senator Harkin for Voting to Proceed; Denounces Senate Republicans' Attempt to Block Debate

The Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) as part of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) - the nation's largest health care campaign - released the following statement thanking Senator Harkin for voting for -- and criticizing Senator Grassley for voting against -- the motion to proceed which allows the Senate to debate health care reform legislation on the floor

Iowa City, Iowa November 24, 2009 -- The Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) as part of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) - the nation's largest health care campaign - released the following statement thanking Senator Harkin for voting for -- and criticizing Senator Grassley for voting against -- the motion to proceed which allows the Senate to debate health care reform legislation on the floor:

Betty Ahrens, Executive Director, Iowa Citizen Action Network:

"We are proud of Senator Harkin for voting to have the Senate debate health insurance reform. Iowa's families and businesses can no longer wait for good, affordable health care with the choice of a public health insurance option, and Senator Harkin clearly understands we have come too far to slow down now.

"It is a shame the Republicans in Congress can't put aside their political gamesmanship even to allow a debate, and instead, continue to do the insurance industry's bidding in trying to kill meaningful reform. Today, Senator Grassley said he wasn't even willing to debate health insurance reform which is what we thought he was sent to Washington to do. Senator Grassley's vote showed he's not working for us but rather the health insurance industry that is trying to kill reform and protect its profits at our expense. Republicans in Congress continue to have a one word vocabulary. All they say is no.

"Senator Grassley is clearly missing the point of letting the "world's greatest deliberative body" actually deliberate. Even if he disagrees with the health care legislation up for consideration, Senator Grassley should have voted to allow health care reform get to the floor for debate. He could have expressed his dissension or have tried to make improvements to the bill then. Instead, his vote tells us he is committed to doing nothing. That is not leadership that works for Iowa.

"We commend Senate Democrats for sticking together to make sure health care reform legislation reaches the floor, and after substantive deliberation, we look forward to those Senators truly dedicated to improving health care in our country voting to end further Republican obstructionist tactics and send a good bill to the President's desk for his signature as soon as possible."

Contact:

Amy Logsdon, ICAN
(office) 319-354-8116 x106
(mobile) 319-321-7056

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