"The fight for health care reform has lasted nearly a century and frustrated Presidents and legislators of both parties. But [Sunday] we have won this fight on behalf of the American people. This vote makes it clear that scare tactics and the special interests are not match for the call of history and the need for change. No matter who they are or where they live or what they do for a living or have in the bank, every American family deserves good health care. And, with this historic legislation, they will be able to get it."

Demorcratic candidate for Governor and former Mayor of Stamford, Dan Malloy had this reaction to the passage of the health care reform bill:

"I want to congratulate Congress for passing landmark health care reform, especially the five members of the Connecticut delegation who all voted in favor. There are still a number of critical points to be settled through the reconciliation process - and we know that the final law won't be perfect - but this legislation will improve the lives and health of millions of Americans. It's a historic achievement, on par with the creation of social security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs."

"When it comes to the law's impact here in Connecticut, it's important to remember that most major changes will take years to implement. As I've said many times, Connecticut can't afford to rely on the federal government when it comes to making progress on big issues. That's why I supported the SustiNet and pooling bills last year, and it's why as Mayor of Stamford I implemented the Every Child Matters program, extending health insurance to more than 2200 uninsured HUSKY eligible children."

"This progress should serve as a reminder of not only what government can accomplish, but also of the work still left to be done in Connecticut."

Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) has this to say about the passage of the health care bill.

"Today, this Congress accomplished something that was almost 100 years in the making. When the President signs this legislation into law, the American people will see clearly whose side this Democratic Caucus is on. We are standing up to health insurance company abuses and decades of discrimination and mistreatment. We have lowered the cost of health insurance. We have lowered the budget deficit. And we have improved the quality of health care for all Americans. I am so proud to be part of this historic moment along the lines of the passage of Social Security and Medicare."

"This bill was repeatedly rejected by the American people and it is especially bad for Connecticut, the insurance capital of the world. It contains a number of job-killing provisions that will guarantee lost jobs in our state. It nearly doubles the tax on health insurers and triples the penalty on small businesses who don't offer health care insurance to their employees from $750 to $2000 per employee and applies the penalties to both part-time and full-time workers. Other provisions raise the top marginal rate on small business owners by 20 percent and the top tax rate on investment income by 60 percent - discouraging economic growth and job creation. These provisions will decimate small businesses and cost Connecticut jobs at the worst possible time."

"Providing health care to the uninsured is a worthy goal, but the one size fits all approach of this legislation is particularly harmful to states like Connecticut where about 95 percent of our citizens do have coverage. One of the stated goals of Obamacare is to provide coverage to 93 percent of our population - and while Connecticut has already achieved this - we continue our efforts to provide coverage to all the uninsured. But states should have the ability to tailor programs to reach the uninsured - as Connecticut has done with the Charter Oak program - without the "bigfoot" approach of this bill."

"I urge our Attorney General to join other states in filing suit to stop the implementation of this legislation."

Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) released the following statement explaining his voting decision on the Health Insurance Reform legislation:

"The message from the people I represent is clear - health care costs and health insurance practices are out of control. We need to make changes to the current system to provide people access to affordable care, to cut costs for businesses, and to strengthen Medicare for seniors. The changes we need to make to our health care system will only come by transferring power away from the health insurance industry and to the consumers. The current health insurance reform legislation does this, and that's why I plan on voting in favor of its final passage."

Murphy explained that this legislation will close Medicare drug donut holes, lowers small business health costs, and insures those that don't have health care. This bill will extend the solvency of Medicare for another decade and cuts the national deficit by $140 billion.