Nancy Shakir for US Congress -NC 08

For Immediate Release: Contact:

Sunday March 21, 2010 Greg Frederick, Campaign Manager 704 650-6009

Nancy Shakir, Democratic Candidate for Congress, NC-08
responds to passage of healthcare reform and Rep. Kissell’s vote against healthcare reform

Historic healthcare reform passes the House by a vote of 219-212 despite Rep. Kissell’s NO vote.

Fayetteville, NC – Democratic Candidate for Congress Nancy Shakir congratulates the House for passing the healthcare reform package and President Obama for his leadership in guiding this historic legislation to passage.

Healthcare reform will:

* provide coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured
* protect consumers from insurance company abuses including denial for pre-existing conditions
and dropping customers when they get sick (rescission)
* close the doughnut hole for Seniors on Medicare Part D
* reduce long term healthcare costs and significantly reduce the federal deficit
* fund community health care centers in communities around the country including several new
centers in the 8th District

The healthcare reform bill will have immediate benefits for constituents in NC-08, and around the country. It will permit young adults up to age 26 to maintain coverage on their parent’s plans, stop the practice of rescission, eliminate lifetime insurance coverage limits, restrict annual coverage limits, and immediately eliminate pre-existing coverage denials for children. Small businesses will receive tax credits to provide insurance coverage, and the bill will begin to close the doughnut hole coverage gap for Seniors. The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) predicts $138 billion in deficit reduction in the first decade after passage.

“I am thrilled that healthcare reform has passed Congress, and congratulate the President and Democrats in Congress who worked so hard to make reform a reality for the American people. I am however, extremely disappointed by Rep. Kissell’s vote against healthcare reform. I was one of many volunteers who worked hard to elect Rep. Kissell, based on his promise to support healthcare reform and other key Democratic initiatives. One in five constituents in Rep. Kissell’s district is currently without health insurance; we deserve better” said Ms. Shakir. “I am running to represent the needs of these constituents and my community in NC-08. I will stand strong in support of the change we voted for with courage and fortitude.”