The nation sees steady job growth since enactment of healthcare reform.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) releases the following statement as the House prepares to take a vote on repealing healthcare.

"The GOP continues to play to its base and ignoring the needs of the American people. Next week they will call for a vote to repeal healthcare reform – a vote they know is symbolic and stands no chance of making it to the President's desk. By calling it a jobs killing measure they fail to accurately present the facts which are exactly opposite to their argument.

"A careful examination of those facts shows in 2009, 4.7 million jobs were lost in the private sector compared to 12 straight months of private sector job growth in 2010. Since March 2010, and the enactment of healthcare reform, 1.1 million jobs have been created. Overall, 2010 saw the addition of 1.3 million jobs in the private sector.

"And a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows over the past year small businesses offering health coverage has risen 13 percent and it's largely due to the reforms of the new tax credit.

"It's time to stop wasting time and get serious.  I encourage my colleagues from the other side of the aisle to stop wasting time playing politics with the physical health of the American people and the financial health of the country. Let's be serious about bringing legislation to the floor that will get America back to work."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah