The House Passes Health Care Reform Bill

Saturday, November 7, 2009, 11:50 PM | Remaindered Links
Tags: Health Care

The House of Representatives on Saturday night passed a sweeping health care bill by a vote of 220-215.

The House bill would extend insurance coverage to 36 million uncovered Americans and guarantee that 96 percent of Americans have coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history.

OK, I need to read more…

3 Comments for The House Passes Health Care Reform Bill

1

No need to read more yet Rickey. The House version is a definite no-go in the Senate, wouldn’t even get a vote. Unless the House makes some serious concessions, Obama won’t get his Health Care Reform Bill until after the 2010 elections. Most of the stuff in the bill is fine, the main sticking points is government run health care insurance plans and the lack of tort reform. Without some sort of tort reform, health care prices won’t drop significantly, doctors and hospitals can’t afford to not to over-test and over-treat patients.

chessguy99 on November 8, 2009 at 7:59 am
2

I like the pre-existing part — that insurance co’s cannot deny you because of a pre-existing condition. However, it doesn’t state that they can’t blow the roof off the costs because of pre-existing.

Marie Ruffin on November 8, 2009 at 12:28 pm
3

I am very troubled by the Stupak-Pitts Amendment. Once again, Congress erodes women’s heath and reproductive rights whilst claiming to protect them. I’m afraid when this bill is reconciled with the Senate’s – all that will remain would be a requirement that everyone purchase health insurance under penalty of law (more money in Insurance Company pockets), the Stupak-Pitts Amendment restricting women’s access to necessary health care and no public option to ensure Insurance Companies don’t steal the public blind. That’s health care for corporations – not for people. Color me disappointed more than a little. Will the pre-existing condition element hold on? Dunno. It all depends on the language. Phrase it just the right way – and Insurance corporations could do whatever they like. I’ve a thousand dollar deductable + high co-pays now. Imagine if my insurance company decided to double or triple that? It could easily happen without laws restricting that kind of behavior. I’m afraid I don’t trust anyone in Washington to have my interests at heart – regardless of party affiliation. Half the time I wish I could vote ‘none of the above’ (or for Michael Moore’s Ficus tree). To put it more succinctly: a plague on both their houses!

TFLS on November 9, 2009 at 3:59 am