WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud issued the\ue000
following statement on the pending vote in the House of Representatives\ue000
on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. A fact sheet\ue000
produced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on how this\ue000
legislation will affect Maine’s second congressional district can be\ue000
found here.\ue000

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement on the pending vote in
the House of Representatives on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. A fact sheet produced by the
House Energy and Commerce Committee on how this legislation will affect Maine’s second congressional district
can be found here.
\ue000\ue000Today, I will join my colleagues in taking another important step in a journey that began almost a century ago.

to the historic opportunity that confronts us today.\ue001 Although I continue to have serious concerns with pieces of the health
care reform package, I have decided that being at the table will more effectively advance the interests of the people of
Maine than by standing on the sidelines.\ue001 I will support the bill before the House today because this process must move
forward.
\ue000\ue000Three House committees completed their work and blended those proposals into the bill we’re considering

concerned about parts of the bill that cut Medicare and Medicaid.\ue001 These cuts would unfairly impact Maine due to our
unique situation as having one of the most efficient health care systems in the country, while receiving some of the
lowest reimbursement rates for services provided.\ue001 These concerns were raised by many in Maine, and I have made sure
that they have been heard by the highest levels of government in our nation.
\ue000\ue000This week, I have repeatedly discussed my concerns with the White House and directly with the President.\ue001 I am pleased

that he understood my concerns as they relate to Maine and pledged to work with me to address them in a meaningful
way within the context of this bill as it moves forward.\ue001 I will also redouble my efforts with Senator Snowe to ensure that
rural access to health care is protected and strengthened in the State of Maine as both the House and Senate move
forward toward a final bill.
\ue000\ue000Let me be clear.\ue001 My vote today does not guarantee where I will ultimately come down on the future conference report.\ue001

them and that I will continue to fight to strengthen this legislation.\ue001 But we cannot allow unfounded fear of death panels
and government takeovers of health care derail this important opportunity.\ue001 These claims were always untrue, and they
are untrue today.
\ue000\ue000We must come together and get the best possible bill passed so that the Mainers I represent not only have more

affordable coverage – but coverage that meets their needs.\ue001 Later tonight, I will say yes to expanding health care coverage to the thousands of small businesses and people in Maine who do not have it and, to those who do, making it more affordable and better.\ue001 Today, I will say yes to ending the practice of denying coverage due to preexisting conditions