Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Laura Smith - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Friday lauded a new report compiled by HHS that claims health care reform will boost employment and raise individual families' incomes.

“Lots of families are looking into the future and asking what is it that happens to them when Congress passes health reform. The biggest change is that under reform families will have a lot more security and stability in the health insurance system than they have today,” Sebelius said.

The new report, entitled “Protecting Families and Putting More Money in Your Pocket: How Health Insurance Reform Will Lower Costs and Increase Choices,” states that "lowering health care costs by one percent will create 320,000 jobs nationwide and raise median family income by $6,800 by 2030."

The secretary also outlined the benefits the Senate's pending health care reform bill will bring to American families.

“If you lose your health insurance, it’s a lot easier to find a new policy. You don’t have to make 25 different phone calls to find coverage. It will be a new market place, called an exchange, where you can compare plans and rates and make some choices,” Sebelius stated.

She added, “there are basic rules that will apply to companies offering plans in the exchange. They can’t deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions, they can’t deny coverage once you have it, you can’t put a cap on benefits. That’s a huge change for American families, even those who have insurance today.”