House passes health care reform bill
The House narrowly approved a landmark health care reform bill late Sunday, ending several months of political maneuvering and much debate among Americans.
The bill extends coverage to 32 million Americans and stop insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. The bill will basically create near-universal coverage for Americans.
But some Republicans say the bill will increase health care costs and risk private health insurance coverage, along with cutting Medicare funding and raise taxes by almost $1 trillion.
President Obama and House Democratic leaders reached a last-minute agreement with abortion opponents to get the final few votes needed to establish near-universal coverage.
The Democrat-led House had more than 216 votes committed late Saturday, but the abortion agreement cemented the reform of the health care system.
A companion Senate bill must be approved, but lawmakers say they have the votes, likely leading to the president’s signature and ending a century-long battle for coverage of most Americans.
“It will control costs, strengthen Medicare and reduce the deficit,” said U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, a Democrat from Sacramento. “Our plan gives people … more consumer protections, and puts medical decisions back in the hands of patients and their doctors.
“Insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions or from rescinding policies from people once they get sick,” said Matsui, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Rules and Committee payday loan no faxing. “All of these are tools used by insurance companies to segment the market and maximize profits.”
Under the law, most Americans must have insurance, either from their employer or a federally approved individual plan – or face a penalty. Families who earn less than $88,000 per year would be eligible for subsidies, part of the cost for the health care program.
And Medicaid – the federal-state health care program for the poor – would be greatly expended, to families up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $29,300 for a family of four, according to an Associated Press report. Adults without children also would be covered starting in 2014.
Parents with children can extend health care coverage to age 26.
In 2014, consumers can start shopping for individual coverage that meets the federal requirements.
The bill cuts about $500 billion from payments to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers that treat Medicare patients. And the federal government will eliminate $200 billion for Medicare-type coverage by insurance companies.
Health care insurance companies say seniors would face higher premiums for private insurance, leading more to join Medicare