WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on President Obama's health insurance reform proposal, which was released this morning in advance of Thursday's bipartisan meeting on health reform:

"The President today made available to all Americans the Administration's health insurance reform proposal, which contains positive elements from the House and Senate-passed bills. I look forward to reviewing it with House Members and then joining the President and the Republican leadership at the Blair House meeting on Thursday. This discussion will continue a year-long historic level of transparency and open debate of this crucial reform effort.

"Our nation is closer than ever to guaranteeing affordable health care to America's middle class and small businesses, lowering costs and strengthening Medicare for seniors, holding insurance companies accountable, and reducing our deficit. The cost of inaction is too great for our nation and for every family facing the heartbreaking reality of skyrocketing health care costs and denied care or coverage.

"We must pass comprehensive, affordable health insurance reform, and I am hopeful that Thursday's meeting will help us achieve this goal."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House