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"I applaud President Obama for addressing Congress and the nation – and moving forward with his bipartisan plan to improve our health care system. We need health care reform – and we need it now. In Washington State alone, nearly 720,000 have no health insurance at all, and many more live with the fear that the insurance they have will become unaffordable and lost. "A health care system must provide security and stability to those who are already insured, as well as provide affordable coverage to those who do not have health insurance. We must have a national system in place that provides accessible, affordable, quality health care for all Americans. Doing nothing is not an option. "It is encouraging that both the U.S. House and Senate are working on legislation to advance health care reform. With the president's help, I believe Congress will reach a compromise. We cannot fail again on health care reform."

"President Obama stated clearly tonight what American families and businesses know all too well, our current health care system is simply unsustainable. "And while health care rhetoric and political posturing have been on the rise, costs have too. In fact, the largest private insurer in Washington state raised premiums by seventeen percent last month. It's clear that doing nothing will solve nothing. "The reform we are working towards will provide stability and choice to families and businesses. It will mean lower costs, stable and portable coverage and the promise that if you get sick, have a pre-existing condition or lose your job, you will not lose your health care. Health care decisions will be put back in the hands of patients and their doctors. And I support the President's vision of a public plan. "We still have a lot of work to do. This is a long and complicated process, but it is critical that we get it right. The status quo is the most expensive option. I look forward to working with the President and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass meaningful reform that will lower costs, increase choice and provide stability to America’s families and businesses this year."