The following is a statement from Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health, released immediately following President Barack Obama signing the health care reform bill:

“Now is the time to move on from the politics of health reform to the substance of reform and what it really means to families, small businesses and people throughout the country.

“It means the American people will control their health care decisions, not the insurance industry.

“It means insurance companies can no longer deny coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions, cancel coverage when people get sick, charge more for women or set annual or lifetime caps.

“It means the American people can be secure in the knowledge they will have coverage they can afford, coverage that can’t be lost when they change jobs, coverage that will prevent them from being forced into bankruptcy because of medical bills.

“It means children can stay on their parents’ insurance plan until the age of 26.

“It means seniors can be confident in a Medicare program that is stronger, that will provide rebates to pay for prescription drugs and that will close the infamous donut hole.

“It means everyone will have access to free preventive care that keeps them healthy and catches illnesses before they become serious.

“It means members of Congress will be part of the same insurance program as everyone else.

“It means the country will have a health care system that creates jobs, reduces the national debt and plays a productive role in the economy.

“And, it means that Americans can take pride in a health care system that embodies the best values of a nation that is capable of achieving real change that serves the needs of everyone.”