The Healthcare Bill PASSES First House Committee

[berni_mccoy]

I didn't see any news about this on DU, so I'm assuming it went unnoticed quietly on a Friday. As I've said before here, this bill is looking like a winner. I'm glad Obama has made the statement that he's going to head to the front lines to do battle for this. Two more committees to go, but based on it passing the Senate committee and the first house committee, I'd say there is a good chance this will get a floor vote.

From the Education and Labor Committee:

Ed & Labor Approves Historic Health Reform Bill; Reforms One Step Closer for Americans

July 17, 2009 11:25 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Education and Labor Committee today passed historic legislation that will deliver the fundamental health reforms that Americans want by reducing and controlling costs, guaranteeing people’s choices of doctors and plans, and ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all.

The Committee passed the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, H.R. 3200, by a vote of 26-22. Five amendments offered by Republicans were adopted. The legislation is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.

“Health care reform is moving forward. This legislation will reduce costs that are crushing workers, families and businesses alike and it will ensure that patients – not insurance companies – hold the power to make decisions about their care,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the Committee. “These reforms will save jobs, create millions of new careers, improve the health of our workforce and help rebuild our nation’s middle class. Today’s vote is a monumental step forward in our journey to finally fix our broken health care system.”
...

More at link http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/07/ed-labor-approves-historic-hea.shtml .

Note, this version includes Kucinich's amendment and is supported by the following organization:


AARP
AFL-CIO
American Academy of Nursing
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Physicians
American College of Surgeons
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association
American Osteopathic Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Public Health Association
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Communications Workers of America
Consumers Union
Doctors for America
Families USA
Healthcare for America Now
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
Main Street Alliance
National Association of Community Health Centers
National Breast Cancer Coalition
National Coalition on Health Care
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
National Medical Association
National Women’s Law Center
SEIU
Small Business Majority
United American Nurses
United Auto Workers
United Steelworkers
YMCA

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. Ummmm......

That is a tragedy which ought not be celebrated.

The bill is a clusterfuck. It will leave million uninsured and in worse condition than before with penalties being assessed. Millions more will be left without choice and that public option is going to be far more costly than anyone is admitting. BUt the insurance companies will have new customers.

[berni_mccoy]

2. What is a tragedy is that there are people here at DU like you who believe that.

Too many here have bought into subversive propaganda (or are spreading it).

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. The area where I live

is among the most food insecure in the nation. Do you really think that people who can barely feed themselves are suddenly going to be able to generate the funds to purchase that mandated health insurance? Even with the subsidies it will require some payment from folks who lack the ability to pay.

I personally haven't seen a doctor for any reason in well over a decade. I carry a high deductible ($10,000) policy with a co-pay (20%). Major medical. The cost is in excess of $3,000 annually. The only thing this "reform" might possibly do for me is reduce the possibility that my coverage might be cancelled. That doesn't mean it might not be rated higher and become still more expensive. Nor are there any guarantees that I would be able to participate in the public option - or that such an option would be more affordable. I have the $3,000 to spend each year - unlike many in my area who are food insecure. This so-called "reform" isn't going to do shit to make health care more affordable or accessible for millions. But it sure as hell is going to ease some consciences.

The real tragedy here is that Dems had an opportunity to deliver some real reforms. Yet the folks most likely to benefit under the present proposal are (1) the insurance companies and (2) possibly those with pre-existing conditions and the cash to make premium payments. Folks who are uninsured/underinsured? They are mostly SOL - especially if they are individual policy holders who do not obtain health insurance through their employment.

Seems to me like we have too many Dem politicians sold out to the insurance companies. Bastards.

[berni_mccoy]

6. I'm glad you replied, because it's obvious you have fallen prey to the propaganda

First off, they will not be forced to purchase healthcare they cannot afford. If people can barely feed themselves, then they will be provided healthcare at no expense to them. It's not true that "folks who lack the ability to pay" will be required some form of payment. You need to talk specific dollars here.

w.r.t. your current healthcare vs. healthcare on the plan, you will not have a 10k deductible. You will be able to participate in the public option. Again, depending on your income (which you don't state) will say how much you will need to provide for a premium. Given that you can't afford $3k / year, I'm guessing you won't be expected to pay much.

The CBO has verified the affordability of people to pay on the scaled premium based on relative income

You have used no facts about the Healthcare bill, only what you think it will do, which leads me to believe you are simply repeating something you've been told. Please try to do some research and if you have a specific concern, then show how the bill specifically causes you that concern.

[Schema Thing]

7. Thanks for posting the specifics

I wondered where this guy got his ideas. Not from the source, it would seem.

[Coyote_Bandit]

9. I don't give a damn about theory

What I care about is the practical end effect of this clusterfuck legislation. In my opinion, anything less than single payer is doomed to be ineffective. Millions will still be left without health care. There has been lots of discussion regarding that here on DU. I am not the only one that holds that opinion. I do not agree with your assessment of the end effect. Perhaps you should consider that I believe you have bought into the propoganda and partaken of far too much kool-aid.

That public option is going to end up being far more expensive than projected - and if it is self-funded then it is goling to cost more than private insurance. Why? Because it is going to turn into the national insurer of last resort. It will be the high risk pool.

One thing I will be interested to see is whether or not INCOME is the only measure used to qualify someone for participation in the public option and subsidies for premiums. It should be the only measure but I expect somebody will get their shorts in a wad and start complaining about subsidizing the wealthy - completely ignoring that such measures will disqualify many self-employed small business folks from financial assistance.

Another thing which remains unclear is what the lifetime benefit under the public option is. Most private insurers have a limit of $1 to $2 million. If there is no lifetime benefit then anyone who desires to participate in the public option should be able to do so. But apparently such participation under the present proposal must be approved. And that is discriminatory.

You say that I can't keep my high deductible policy. Why the hell not? Assuming I have the resources to pay the deductible (and I do) then I should be able to keep that policy if I want. Despite your representations otherwise I CAN afford the premium. And I have no plans of seeking medical care in the forseeable future. Even if these reforms are enacted I've got no reason to trust the bastards - or to be certain that such reform will not be repealed during the next change in the political wind.

FWIW, I worked in the insurance industry for nearly a decade. Part of my job responsibilities during that time included the preparation and submission of rate and form filings in a multi-state region. I am well aware of the complexities of appropriately rating insurance coverages. From what I can tell, those have largely been ignored in the preparation of the proposed "reforms." This clusterfuck legislation is doomed to be far less than successful.

[kenfrequed]

11. Great

And I would agree with you partially, but congressman Kucinich is probably the movst vociferous advocate for universal-single payer. Attacking the portion of healthcare that comes with his amendment out of the most sympathetic committee is silly.

If you were slamming Baachuus' bill out of the Finance then I would agree with everything you said and sing your praises on the tops of mountains. I recommend directing your critiques more pointedly at the real opposition.

But I definitely agree with the spirit and frustration of your posts.

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. You've been reading too much leftist myth bullshit.

The centerpiece of the bill is a health insurance exchange. The exchange is THE place that individuals, small businesses (and eventually large businesses) will obtain coverage. The exchange administrators evaluate plans, assure they meet minimum guidelines, set premiums and administer affordability credits.

All health insurers, including the public plan, will operate under this organization. The public plan competes directly with the private insurers for the same pool of customers. If you are eligible for insurance from the exchange, you are eligible for the public option. Private insurers are prohibited from rejecting applicants because of preexisting conditions, so the public option won't become an insurer of last resort.

Income is NOT a measure used to qualify someone for participation in the public option, and yes, giving rich people affordability credits is stupid.

[dflprincess]

17. Depending on a person's income level,

the public option will have out of pocket aka "cost-sharing" expenses (excluding premium) of up to $5,000 for a single and $10,000 for a family that is not affordable for people who are just over the limits.

Also, the government will decide what you can afford by only looking at your gross income, nothing in the legistlation suggests that they will take into consideration what your other expenses are.

This bill is just warmed over Romney Care and it will be a disaster. Note that the amendment requiring Congress to go on the public option failed. Ask yourself why.

[kenfrequed]

8. Bad comedy

Labelling the least Insurance company friendly version of the healthcare reform (the one with the Kucinich amendment) as excessively insurance company friendly is the height of absurdity.

It is odd that you use insurance company propaganda to suggest healthcare insurance is too cozy with the insurance company. Kind of funny really.

Sorry though, not buying the BS.

[berni_mccoy]

10. Well said.

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. If you carry an individual policy

I guarantee that you're eligible for the public option. But you know that.

Also, those neighbors who lack employer-provided coverage and "can barely feed themselves" can get it for free via the broader medicare eligibility. But you know that too.

This is a good bill, it is especially good for those who currently either lack insurance or buy individual coverage on modest incomes. It is fundamental reform, and the subversion from the left does no good.

[berni_mccoy]

15. Yep, they know that all right...

it's clear what the person is doing.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. That's an impressive list of enorsements. Wow!

[kjackson227]

5. This is an impressive list of endorsements. I'm happy to see the progress that's being made.

Thank you so much for posting this ;)

[berni_mccoy]

18. Yes, it is, and...

you are welcome.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. Excellent news. Thank you for this.

This bill will save the lives of hundreds of thousands of americans.

[berni_mccoy]

16. Yes, and now we are one step closer to saving those lives.

[spanone]

19. i'm surprised our media isn't championing this all over the airwaves?

:sarcasm: