Pelosi's statement after Senate Finance Committee passes the health insurance reform proposal

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after the Senate Finance Committee voted to pass the committee's health insurance reform proposal.

"The Senate Finance Committee's vote represents a long-awaited and critical step in getting a health insurance reform bill to President Obama's desk that will lower costs, protect seniors, preserve your choice of plans and doctors, improve quality, and make health care affordable for the middle class.

"Reform is now closer than ever and the House of Representatives will be putting forward legislation that blends the best ideas of three House Committees, our Members, and the American people.

"Now the process moves to the floor of both houses of Congress. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass legislation that brings competition to the insurance industry with a public health insurance option and provides access to quality, affordable health insurance to all Americans."