Napolitano supports health care reform bill

"This is the health care reform bill Americans elected us to pass," she said. "It has taken years of research and deliberation, consideration of ideas from both sides, and the efforts of seven presidents, but we are finally addressing this country's health care problem.

"Once this bill is passed and signed into law, families will no longer have to live in fear of bankruptcy caused by an illness or accident, businesses will not have to bear the burden of rising health care costs, and the most vulnerable in our communities will finally be given some measure of protection.

"Health care reforms must not be put off any longer, and it is critical that this bill pass the Senate and be signed into law."

Napolitano said that in her district the bill is estimated to protect 1,100 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs per year, reduce the cost to hospitals for uncompensated emergency room visits by $27 million and close the Medicare prescription drug donut hole for 7,500 seniors who currently pay out of pocket.

"This bill will provide coverage for more than 121,000 people in my district who are uninsured, and it will reduce the premiums for thousands more," she said. "It's not 100 percent of what many hoped for, but it will mean a lot to those who currently have no health care coverage, who are just one accident or illness away from catastrophe and the loss of their life savings."

Napolitano is a Democrat who represents the 38th District, which includes Pomona.