WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a strong advocate for health insurance and healthcare reform, issues this statement upon conclusion of President Obama's address tonight to Congress and the nation:

"The President is right. The time to act is now. We have been talking and listening and negotiating on comprehensive healthcare reform since the first day of this 111th Congress. The American people have already voted: In 2008 they chose Barack Obama and his prescription for lowering cost, improving quality and increasing access in historic numbers.

"I agree with the President that a public health insurance option will provide a real choice and real competition to lower costs. Every day of inaction in the Congress is a day when millions of uninsured, underinsured or insurance-vulnerable Americans fall further away from the ideal of quality affordable healthcare. Waiting time is over."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah