cong103009
On the homepage
Thanksgiving
Out There
Video
Reusse's Turkey
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | In Congress
House Democrats roll out legislation to extend health care to millions
The House bill is similar to its Senate counterpart, although a handful of key differences could make for protracted negotiations.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggRelated Content
More from In Congress
WASHINGTON - After six months of deal-making, Democratic leaders on Thursday introduced a health care bill that would expand coverage to almost all Americans and overhaul the insurance industry while asking the wealthiest taxpayers to pay much of the tab.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California announced the 10-year, $894 billion package on the Capitol steps, surrounded by Democrats from all factions of her diverse caucus. "Leaders of all political parties, starting over a century ago with President Theodore Roosevelt, have called and fought for health care reform and health insurance reform," Pelosi said. "Today we are about to deliver on the promise."
The House bill is similar to its Senate counterpart, although a handful of key differences could make for protracted negotiations. For example, the House's surtax on those earning more than $500,000 per year is a nonstarter in the Senate. Yet House Democrats oppose the Senate's main revenue measure, an excise tax on high-value, or "Cadillac," health insurance plans. And while both bills include a government insurance plan, the Senate version would allow states to opt out.
Under the House bill, 36 million uninsured Americans without access to affordable health benefits at work would become eligible for coverage. About 15 million of the poorest children and adults would enroll in Medicaid. Another 21 million would purchase coverage on a new national insurance exchange, where private plans would compete with a "public option" backed by the federal government.
An analysis of the House bill by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that just 6 million people would choose a public plan, making it a relatively small player despite the issue's outsize role in the debate.
The House bill would require most individuals to purchase insurance and would require employers to provide health coverage to their workers or face a penalty, although firms with payrolls below $500,000 annually would be exempt.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, mocked the bill's 1,990 pages as 620 pages longer than President Bill Clinton's failed plan 15 years ago. The conservative Republican Study Committee warned of "higher taxes, job-killing employer mandates, choice-restricting individual mandates, government-run insurance, budget-busting entitlement expansions and countless provisions that set Washington bureaucrats firmly between you and your doctor."
House Democratic leaders have huddled for weeks behind closed doors, seeking to stitch together a 218-vote majority from disparate Democratic blocs. Up to 40 conservative Democrats remain unhappy with abortion-related provisions and are still threatening to vote no. But with a debate on the House floor expected to begin late next week, most major differences appear to have been bridged.
Recent In Congress stories
Tears and fears flood Congress on health care - October 29, 2009
Tears and fears flood Congress on health care - Hundreds of worried Minnesotans are deluging lawmakers with personal pleas. More
Tax credit for home buyers may be extended - October 29, 2009
Tax credit for home buyers may be extended - Senators agreed to extend an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and to offer a reduced credit ($6,500) to some repeat buyers. The credits would be available to buyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. House leaders have also said they support extending the tax credit for home buyers. More
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
  Free Jobs E-mail NewsletterResources to help further your career. Sign up now. Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to see The Hidden Cameras with Gentlemen Reg at 7th Street Entry.Vita.mn presents The Hidden Cameras with Gentlemen Reg at 7th Street Entry on Dec. 2. |
Comment on this story | Read all 13 comments | Hide reader comments