AP, Reuters: Senator Kennedy's Committee Passes Health Care Bill

[flpoljunkie]

Sen. Kennedy's committee passes health care bill

The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:23 AM

WASHINGTON -- The Senate health committee has passed legislation to revamp health care, becoming the first congressional committee to act on President Barack Obama's goal of overhauling the system this year.

The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 13-10 along party lines to pass a $600-billion measure that would expand coverage to nearly all Americans by requiring individuals get insurance and employers to contribute to the cost. The bill would provide federal aid to families and individuals making less than four times the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.

Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the chairman, wasn't there for the milestone vote. He's being treated for brain cancer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071500229.html

First Senate panel passes healthcare bill
Wed Jul 15, 2009

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Health Committee passed on Wednesday its version of legislation to overhaul the U.S. health industry, which is to be combined with a bill yet to be written in the Senate Finance Committee.

The health panel's bill, which passed along a party-line 13-10 vote, would seek to expand coverage to many of the 46 million uninsured Americans, add a government-run healthcare program, require most Americans to obtain health insurance, and mandate most employers to provide it to their workers. The legislation also would seek to reduce costs in the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry.

(Reporting by Jackie Frank and Kim Dixon, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE56D71X20090715

[Blue_Tires]

1. well, its a start...

[ccharles000]

2. wonderful

[Jennicut]

3. This is really important to Teddy.

It must be hard for him not to be there.

[BlooInBloo]

4. They're putting the screws to Baucus to make it work.

[karynnj]

5. I hope they succeed

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Senator Kennedy has been amazing in his dedication on this.

The day before the election last fall, I was lucky enough to be able to go to a rally in Hyannis. Senator Kennedy always did this rally before every election for decades. Last year, he was not healthy enough to do so and his people asked Senator Kerry to come. It was incredibly emotional (and fun). One of the most emotional parts was when Senator Kerry spoke of how Senator Kennedy had already returned to DC and was hard at work on this bill. The next day, speaking after he was re-elected, Kerry spoke of wanting to see Senator Kennedy get the first signing pen as Obama signed the healthcare bill into law.

[flpoljunkie]

6. HELP Committee approved 160 Republican amendments, yet not one of them voted to move bill out

After Accepting Scores Of GOP Amendments, Senate HELP Committee Moves Health Care Legislation On Party Line Vote

By Brian Beutler - July 15, 2009, 10:38AM

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee has voted along party to move its health care reform legislation out of committee. The panel has been in mark-up for weeks now, and along the way, has approved 160 Republican amendments--and for all that largesse, not a single member of the minority voted in its favor. I'll pass along more details as they become available.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/after-accepting-scores-of-gop-amendments-senate-help-committee-moves-health-care-legislation-on-part.php

[berni_mccoy]

9. The ammendments should be removed then

The GOP ammendments will be the first things attacked by Republicans.

[Arkana]

7. Along party lines, eh?

Good. People will know then who fought to get them healthcare coverage and who opposed it.

[Cha]

8. Hope Senator Kennedy

recovers his good health and the health care reform helps the US economy in its recovery.

[flpoljunkie]

10. The Hill: The HELP measure would establish a 'nationwide' health insurance exchange

The HELP Committee measure also would establish a nationwide health insurance exchange from which individuals and small-business workers could shop for insurance, including a new government-run public option.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/senate-panel-passes-health-reform-bill-2009-07-15.html

[avaistheone1]

11. This needs to evolve into a universal single payer plan and fast.

The middle class is suffering the burden of health insurance costs too.