WASHINGTON, DC - After the U.S. House of Representatives tonight passed the Senate's health insurance reform bill, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

"This is an historic national moment. Passage of comprehensive health reform is a win for Rhode Islanders and all Americans who have been struggling against the rising tide of health insurance costs.

"Americans are passionate about health care because it impacts us all, and everyone will benefit from the stronger and more stable insurance market this law creates.

"Over the years, health insurance companies have tightened their grip on consumers, finding more ways to deny people care while simultaneously increasing their costs. Today, we broke that stranglehold.

"This new law is about fairness and opportunity. People who pay for health insurance their entire life shouldn't be dropped from their insurance policy just because they get sick. And every American should have the opportunity to purchase affordable coverage for themselves and their families.

"Today, we finally made those ideals into realities.

"Health insurance reform will prevent insurers from discriminating against women, older Americans, and people with pre-existing conditions and make it harder for insurance companies to jack up rates without justification.

"It will prevent more Americans who get sick from going bankrupt and give every parent the piece of mind of knowing that even if they lose their job, they can still purchase affordable health insurance for themselves and their family.

"Kids who graduate from college will now be allowed to remain on their parents' health insurance policies longer, so that they can get coverage while they look for a job and begin to build a life of their own.

"Health insurance reform will make it easier for small businesses -- the engine of our economy -- to provide their workers with affordable health coverage. For the first time, small business will get a tax break for health care costs.

"This landmark legislation will help contain health costs and reduce the national debt.

"This bill also cuts down on massive waste and inefficiency in the current system and will help doctors cut through red tape and focus on patients instead of paperwork.

"No one law will solve all our health care problems. We must continue working every day to ensure that businesses can focus more attention on creating jobs and worry less about rising health insurance costs, and that employees have the opportunity to purchase quality, affordable health coverage for themselves and their family.

"President Obama deserves credit for succeeding where so many others failed and delivering landmark health reform for all Americans. And I want to congratulate Congressmen Langevin and Kennedy for their important votes tonight.

"I hope the Senate will soon pass critical fixes to this bill that will make significant improvements in coverage and care and reduce costs."