Covering all Nevadans will pay off now, later

Last month, after decades of debate, we finally enacted much-needed changes to a system that can't wait any longer to be fixed. Starting this year, changes will take effect that will strengthen Nevada's health care system and provide health security to hardworking people throughout our state and across the country.

Extending coverage to half a million Nevadans was the right thing to do. Ensuring that no Nevadan is ever denied coverage for a pre-existing condition was the right thing to do. Restricting insurance companies from dropping coverage when someone gets sick was the right thing to do. Voting for this bill was the right thing to do.

Read Gov. Jim Gibbons' response, "Reform measure costs the state up to $2.3 billion"

Nevadans stand to benefit directly and immediately. This year, more than 600,000 uninsured residents will have access to affordable, quality health care. More than 300,000 seniors will receive free preventive annual services, like physicals and check-ups, and the prescription drug "doughnut hole" will begin closing this year. Tens of thousands of small businesses that today can't afford to cover their employees will soon receive tax credits that will help them right that wrong.

This reform will save money for our country, too. Over the next 10 years, the plan will slash our deficit by $143 billion; by 2030, the bill will take another $1.3 trillion off the deficit while providing coverage to nearly all Americans.

Universal coverage means that even those without a job will have health insurance. Losing one's job is difficult enough without having to worry about also losing one's health coverage. But thanks to this bill, becoming unemployed doesn't mean becoming uninsured. Those without jobs always will have access to health care.

We passed reform to address the problems of an unsustainable system -- skyrocketing costs, a rise of insurance company abuse and an increase in the number of Nevadans suffering from a lack of coverage. Needless to say, this reform could not have waited another day. Democrats have understood the fierce urgency of now, while my Republican colleagues -- opposed to reform from the beginning -- pressed us to start over. But if we had waited any longer to pass reform, when would we bring health security to all Americans?

The changes I've outlined are just the tip of the iceberg. Additional benefits will kick in soon, and we'll build upon the solid base we've established with this bill in the coming months and years to ensure that all Nevadans and all Americans receive quality, affordable health care as an indisputable right.

Harry Reid is U.S. Senate majority leader representing Nevada.