Warner issues statement on health-reform vote

As promised, here's a statement that just came out from U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner regarding his vote this morning that paves the way for final passage of the Senate health-reform bill by Christmas Eve.

"I voted to advance the Senate health care bill to final passage because the status quo is bankrupting our nation and hurting our ability to compete in a global economy.

"If we fail to act, Virginia's small businesses will continue to see double-digit premium increases every year, and Virginia families could see up to 40 percent of their take-home pay consumed by health care expenses by the year 2016.

"While not perfect, this legislation will lower insurance premium costs for the majority of families and businesses. It will reduce the deficit by more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars over the next 20 years, and it will add at least nine years to the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.

Read the full statement here.