Despite everything HCR will be the most progressive legislation passed since the Great Society.

[book_worm]

Is it perfect? (of course not). But it's better than defeating it and doing nothing.

"We'll get this passed before Christmas and it will be one of the best Christmas presents this Congress has ever given the American people," Democratic senator Tom Harkin said.

In a TV address from the White House before the vote, Barack Obama said: "After nearly a century-long struggle, we are on the cusp of making healthcare reform a reality in the United States of America."

"He's smiling," Reggie Kennedy said to Dodd. "You made history tonight."

Q: What does the Senate bill do?

A: The bill would significantly change the 2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system that almost everyone agrees costs too much and leaves too many people without medical coverage. For the first time in U.S. history, citizens and legal residents will be required to purchase a health insurance policy.

Federal subsidies will be available to help them afford coverage. The subsidies will be available for people with incomes up to 400 percent of the poverty level, about $88,200 for a family of four. The poverty levels for 2009 is $22,050 a year for a family of four and $10,830 for an individual.

Small businesses will be able to tap into federal tax benefits to help buy medical plans for employees.

Employers are not required to provide health coverage for workers, but they would have to pay a penalty if any employees use federal subsidies to purchase insurance.

Q: Are there protections for consumers?

A: Yes. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to anyone because of a pre-existing condition. They also will not be able to charge higher premiums because of gender, health history or occupation. Insurers also will be prohibited from dropping people when they get sick.

There will be no more lifetime limits on coverage and annual limits will be restricted. Insurers also will be required to cover preventive healthcare services. Co-payments and other out of pocket expenses for beneficiaries also will be limited.

By requiring everyone to obtain insurance, hospitals will have fewer cases of uncompensated care. Many people without insurance seek care at hospital emergency centers because they do not turn away patients. When patients are unable to pay, hospitals make up those losses by charging more to those with insurance. Democrats say that pushes premiums higher by about $1,100 a year.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BK0KA20091221

[ixion]

1. there's nothing progressive about it

it was written by the freakin' insurance lobby, NOT progressives.

Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

[jdlh8894]

5. This is what seals it for me

"Employers are not required to provide health coverage for workers, but they would have to pay a penalty if any employees use federal subsidies to purchase insurance." Employers NOW are not required to provide benefits.Why should we be forced to pay a penalty?

[Recursion]

11. Because at some point the private sector has to pull its own weight here

[Winterblues]

18. Bullshit

America is the ONLY country in the world that places the burden of employee Health Insurance upon the business. There is no reason in Hell why any business should have to pay those expenses. It is either the responisbility of the individual or the Society as a whole, ie Government. The main purpose of Government is to maintain the Health and Welfare of the Nation. That is not the purpose of Business.

[Echo In Light]

6. In keeping with The American Way, it puts corporate interests/profits ahead of morality/humanity

[GreenArrow]

9. I'ts "uniquely American"

a nasty little phrase co-opted from the previous administration.

It's an in-your-face insult.

[pecwae]

2. Please. This is an insurance

bill, not health care. If you for one minute think the insurance companies aren't going to profit by this then there's really no help for you.

[mdmc]

3. This is what I don't get - I HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

(provided through my employer)
I CANNOT USE MY HEALTH INSURANCE - it is too expensive for me to utilize.

SO IS THERE ANY RELIEF FOR THOSE MAKING UNDER $30K to pay for our "health insurance"?

I already have health insurance that does not provide affordable medical treatment. Will this bill help me or cost me more (someone gotta pay for the 50 mill uninsured that will be insured).

[derby378]

4. And now, the fine print

Q: Are there protections for consumers?

A: Yes. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to anyone because of a pre-existing condition. They also will not be able to charge higher premiums because of gender, health history or occupation. Insurers also will be prohibited from dropping people when they get sick.

Except, as I understand it, there is a loophole written into this particular piece of the bill that will allow insurance companies to drop policyholders for "fraud." And the insurance companies get to decide what constitutes "fraud." So it's entirely possible that Janie, who is seeking coverage for her blood pressure and depression meds, will get a letter from her insurance provider informing her that she's been dropped for not mentioning a teenage case of rosacea on her application, which constitutes fraud. Voila! Instant pre-existing condition.

[hayu_lol]

8. Sorry, no reform in this bill...

only regressive changes to the healthcare we are coping with now.

Kill this bill.

[ima_sinnic]

7. I feel sick--and this ain't gonna cover what's ailing me (nt)

[pampango]

10. We'll have to see the final conference bill and the Progressive Causus vs. republican vote totals.

If the Progressive Caucus supports the final bill (and I think that depends on how negotiations between the House and Senate go), you might be right. If the conference bill stinks so bad that the PC turns on it, then you're off base, even if it somehow passes without their support.

[BurtWorm]

12. Single payer now.

[Tailormyst]

13. Nothing progressive about this Ins company gift from the elite in DC.

[maryinthemorn]

14. Ok. I believe in elves also.

NOT.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. I agree with you and that makes me sad.

This IS the most progressive bill in forty years. Forty years when we had the chance to codify equal rights for women and didn't. Oh, a few things happened like legalization of abortion but the court did that and our state and federal legislatures have been chipping away at that to the point where from a practical standpoint it's legal but not accessible for many women who aren't wealthy.

Forty years when we had the chance to provide equal rights for GLBT people and didn't.

Forty years to build on the tremendous gains achieved by the War on Poverty but didn't.


Yeah, this insurance reform bill is the most progressive bill since the Great Society. We should be so proud. :sarcasm:

[RainDog]

19. it is really sad that this is the most progressive bill we can get from the current govt

because the majority of America is far more liberal than the Senators who sit in gerrymandered seats voting for their little redneck of the woods, squeezing deals for corporations like 2 dollar whores.

I bet Nelson looks good in lipstick. Lieberman must be fetching in his leather mask.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

16. I can't help but notice...

that the negative responses to the OP are one-sentence, dogmatic pronouncements and not even an attempt at reasonable debate.

[Name removed]

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