WASHINGTON -- Following is a statement from Adrienne Mitchem, an attorney for Consumers Union who appeared at a Capitol Hill news conference today to endorse the "Health Care for Working Families Act":

"I am here today to share our strong support for the effort of Senator Kennedy and Representative Pallone to make health care costs more affordable for working families. By making sure that firms who employ 50 or more people give their employers access to comprehensive and affordable health care coverage, this Congress could have a remarkable impact on countless families across the United States who continue to find the basic need for affordable health care unmet.

"All over America, the ranks of the uninsured and the underinsured are swelling. There are now 41 million people with no health care insurance whatsoever. People who are struck by a serious illness are also finding out that health insurance often does not cover what it used to. The fact is, too many Americans with and without private insurance are at risk of crushing financial burdens from health care costs. A serious illness or accident can result in staggering bills which can cripple a family budget.

"Four years ago, efforts to reform the health care system ended in failure and Americans were told to put their faith, not in government, but in the marketplace. But even under the best of economic circumstances in our lifetimes, it is clear that market forces are not having the impact anyone had hoped for. Rising per capital health care costs, increasing numbers of uninsured people and mounting financial burdens on low income consumers, the working poor, the near elderly and the elderly continue to confound the system.

"Consumers congratulate Senator Kennedy and Rep. Pallone for their leadership on a truly beneficial health reform step and pledge our help and support to see to it that this Congress advances the worthy goals of this legislation.

"Everyone benefits from a health care system that increases access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage. The time is ripe for public intervention to increase access and make health care affordable for more of our citizens."