Health Care Reform Bill Will Wait Until the Fall
Yesterday Democratic leaders made it official that health reform will have to wait until the fall to be considered by Congress. The Senate leaders said they hoped to send legislation to President Obama by the end of the year. They originally had hoped to send a final bill to the president in mid-October.
 In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that she was open to putting a vote off in that chamber until after the August recess.
The House bill, funded by a graduated surtax on higher-income individuals and several smaller tax provisions, would penalize individuals who do not secure adequate coverage and employers that do not offer it.
House Ways and Means Committee & Education and Labor concluded markup on the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), while Energy and Commerce had delayed their hearings due to opposition from Blue Dog Democrats regarding bill details and cost. The House bill, funded by a graduated surtax on higher-income individuals and several smaller tax provisions, would penalize individuals who do not secure adequate coverage and employers that do not offer it.
The HELP Committe Bill "Affordable Health Choices Act" was approved in a 13-10 by a party line vote this week. It includes a mandate for individuals, requiring purchase of a creditable insurance plan or pay a fine of a maximum of $750/yr. Exemptions will be made for individuals for whom affordable health care coverage is not available or for whom purchasing coverage creates a financial hardship.
The bill also includes a mandate for employers, requiring employers of 25 or more workers to provide health insurance to their workers and cover 60% of the premium costs, or pay the government an annual fee of $750 per full-time worker or $375 for part-time workers. Companies with fewer than 25 employees would be exempt. Note: The definition of a full-time employee and how part-time and seasonal employees will be decided by a politically-appointed commissioner.
FINANCE Committee Bill
Spearheaded by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), the Finance Committee is working to finalize their bill and their financing plan. Negotiations over a health care reform bill are continuing in the Senate and likely through August recess.
View a side by side comparison of the bill and its specific provisions to date here.
For more information, e-mail Erin Tario, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8413.
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