The Houston Chronicle printed the article Texas is already reaping the benefits of health reform on April 3rd, 2012 by our Texas U.S. Representative Gene Green. In this article our congressman illustrates why the Affordable Care Act was important to the nation and specifically why it was of dire need to Texas.

This bill is now being reviewed for its constitutionality by the Supreme Court as of this writing. Though the Supreme Court is supposed to be a non-political body, the reality is that recent decisions put that into question. As such, it is imperative that Americans, and specifically Texans voice their support for this bill. It is sure to influence not only politicians but the justices if they feel what must occur, a severe backlash if this bill is declared unconstitutional or if it is repealed.

Congressman Green states that:

Out of all 50 states, Texas has the greatest need for health care reform. The 2010 census found that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the U.S., with one in four Texans uninsured. This means 6.4 million Texans don't have any health insurance. Houston fared even worse. The 29th congressional district, which I represent, has the highest rate of uninsured individuals in the entire nation. The fact that 43 percent of nonelderly adults and 26 percent of children lack health insurance is unconscionable.

This should give every Texan pause. In fact it is time that those that are benefiting directly or indirectly from the Affordable Care Act, speak up to their local and federal politicians as well as writing letters of support with their personal stories to our local newspapers. They need to be calling in to ALL of our radio and TV stations with their stories and letting politicians know their will be a price to pay if this legislation is repealed.

For those who have been misinforming our citizens on the effect this bill will have on small businesses and seniors Rep. Green could not be clearer.

Throughout the Houston area's nine congressional districts, 4,230 small businesses have claimed tax credits to help with their contributions to employee coverage, and 552,000 seniors have received critical preventive screenings and services through Medicare without a co-pay.

Inasmuch as most of the Affordable Care Act does not come into effect until 2014, what Rep Green states must be duly noted.

Since the Affordable Care Act was signed, active provisions in the law have already started to help us face our health care crisis and have benefited many different constituencies. In the greater Houston area alone, more than 81,000 young adults now have health insurance because of the age limit extension for dependent coverage.

Representative Green wrote an effective and factual piece that we need much more of. The Affordable Care Act has been so maligned by the Right and poorly reported by the mainstream media that it is incumbent on us all to inform our fellow citizens. I wrote the article -- Gamed By Healthcare Debate -- that was printed in the Kingwood Observer today. Let us all get on the bandwagon and push the truthful message of what the Affordable Care Act means to every American citizen.

Green represents Texas' 29th U.S. House District, which includes portions of north and east

Texas is already reaping the benefits of health reform - Houston Chronicle