One of Congressman Garamendi's first acts in Congress was to pass the Patient's Bill of Rights, sweeping legislation that makes significant progress in preventing the insurance companies from exploiting consumers and greatly expands health care access and services.

The Patient's Bill of Rights helps 32 million more Americans get the insurance they deserve. It makes preexisting conditions a relic of history, making sure that insurance companies can't deny children coverage now and completing ending this vile practice by 2014 for all adults. It expands services in Medicare; instantly offers a $250 rebate to seniors in the Medicare Part D prescription drug donut hole; and will gradually phase out the donut hole by 2020. Under the Patient's Bill of Rights, all children will have access to their insurance up to the age of 26 and small businesses receive a 35 percent tax credit to help pay for their employees' insurance.

Garamendi is proud of his work to help pass and strengthen the Patient's Bill of Rights, but he also understands that our work is not done to create a health care system that works for everyone. In the coming years, Garamendi will continue to advocate for a public option, stronger affordability protections for consumers, and more robust oversight of the insurance industry.