There is talk in Congress about delaying health care reform until after the Congressional recess in August. Health Care for America Now has shown just how detrimental that could be: in three weeks, over 143,000 Americans will lose their health insurance coverage, 54,000 will file for bankruptcy because they can’t pay their medical bills, and over 1,000 Americans will die because they lack coverage.

The consequences of delaying health care reform are very real, and could result in a significant impact upon the American people. The bill currently being debated in the House, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act,” will mean help for low- and moderate-income families that are currently uninsured. To make health insurance premiums more affordable, the federal government would provide “affordability credits” available to those with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Medicaid would also be expanded, according to Minnesota Budget Bites. This bill is currently in the Energy and Commerce Committee in House, and you can do your part by calling your members of Congress to make sure they support quality, affordable health care for the entire country.