In the time span that most Americans get up and go to their jobs, work a full day and return home, Congress made historic progress on overhauling our healthcare system. Within just hours of one another today, the House Ways & Means and Education & Labor Committees concluded their markup of healthcare reform legislation, joining the Senate HELP Committee in proving that comprehensive reform is both fiscally responsible and legislatively achievable this year. "If you don't have health insurance, this bill is for you," said Senator Chris Dodd in praise of the Affordable Health Choices Act, legislation that will drive down costs for families through meaningful reforms that reduce premiums and out of pocket expenses, guarantee the choice of a quality public health insurance option and enhance employer responsibility.

Yesterday on Capitol Hill, SEIU Healthcare 775NW member and Montana home care worker Pat DeJong stood alongside Senators Dodd, Mikulski, and Harkin to celebrate the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee's passage of healthcare reform bill, the first of the Congressional panels to approve the health legislation. "This legislation makes healthcare affordable so families like mine won't worry about losing their homes, ranches, farms or having to file for bankruptcy," said DeJong during the press conference. (Read Pat's story here)

For millions of Americans like Pat, real hope for changing the status quo of the nearly 50 million Americans not having health insurance--of families being able to choose an affordable quality public health insurance plan--is now closer than ever. "Today, we see the results of true political leadership and what a commitment to keeping your promises looks like: three healthcare reform bills passing out of committees in a single week," said SEIU President Andy Stern.