Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day Insurance companies continue to rake in huge profits as they raise rates and drop coverage. Last year, the five largest for-profit insurance companies made record profits-- $12.2 billion—a 56 percent jump--- while dropping coverage for 2.7 million Americans. One company’s profits rose 346% in one year. (Health Care for American Now) | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $50,810,630,742 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured. Under the Microscope THE SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE While it is telling that those opposed to health reform seem to find it easier to object to the process rather than the policy, it still should be made clear that a simple majority vote is not a new endeavor but a Congressional process used to reconcile the budget, that has been used for most major health care legislation during the past several decades. COBRA, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, numerous Medicare changes, and a law requiring emergency rooms to screen Medicare and Medicaid patients regardless of ability to pay, was all passed with a simple, up-or-down, majority vote. In fact reconciliation has been used 22 times over the last 30 years on mostly partisan bills – 16 times by the Republican-led Senate. Nearly two-thirds of the time, Republican Presidents have signed reconciliation bills. The difference this time? The main health insurance reform bill is expected to be passed under the normal process. It’s the improvements to this bill which will be passed with a separate, simple majority vote.
Health Care Headlines Health Insurers Challenged to Justify Rate Increases to the Public
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told the nation's leading health insurers Thursday to justify publicly a spate of double-digit premium hikes that have infuriated consumers in at least half a dozen states. [L.A. Times, 3/5/2010] Obama Urges Dems to Seize Moment On Health Care
Support from his own party in doubt, President Barack Obama summoned more than a dozen House Democrats to the White House Thursday, pleading with them to put aside their qualms, seize a historic moment and vote for his massive health care overhaul. [Associated Press, 3/5/2010] White House Cranks Up Pressure For Health Reform
The White House ratcheted up its push for a quick healthcare vote in the U.S. Congress on Thursday, criticizing rising health insurance premiums at a meeting with top industry executives and wooing key lawmakers.
[New York Times, 3/5/2010] Dems Say Easter Deadline May Slip On Health Bill
House Democratic leaders are pushing to finish far-reaching health legislation and hold a climactic vote in the next three weeks, aiming to overcome reluctance from rank-and-file lawmakers. [Associated Press, 3/5/2010] Pressure Mounts For / Against Health Care Bill
As President Obama pushes for a prompt up or down vote on his health initiative, lobbyists and activist groups on both sides of the issue have launched grass-roots and high-dollar advertising campaigns on the roughly two dozen members of Congress who may be the final swing votes on the controversial issue.
[L.A. Times, 3/5/2010] Democratic Leaders Working To Win Over Abortion Opponents For Health-Care Reform
As President Obama makes his final plea for a health-care overhaul, Democratic leaders in Congress are embarking on a delicate strategy to win over abortion opponents, a gambit that could determine whether the legislation becomes law. [Washington Post, 3/5/2010] Bishops Offer Help With Senate
The Roman Catholic bishops signaled Thursday that if agreement is reached with House leaders on anti-abortion language, the church would work to get the votes needed to protect the provisions in the Senate — and thereby advance the shared goal with Democrats of health care reform. [Politico, 3/5/2010] LETTER: Reconciliation Can Be Used to Find Savings
By Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), President of the U.S. Senate
In the Daily Mail's March 2 editorial regarding health care reform legislation, "Using reconciliation would hurt Democrats: Choking off debate is no way to muscle through health legislation," the newspaper's misunderstanding of congressional procedures misinforms readers who, in rapidly increasing numbers, find themselves unable to obtain or afford medical insurance. [Charleston Daily Mail, 3/4/2010] OPINION: Health Reform That Won't Break the Bank
By Peter Orszag, director, Office of Management & Budget, and Nancy-Ann DeParle, director, White House Office of Health Reform
Health-insurance reform offers many benefits, such as common-sense rules of the road and basic consumer protections to keep insurance companies honest and prevent them from denying coverage to anyone because of a preexisting medical condition. [Washington Post, 3/5/2010] Exclusive: 'Wellpoint Would Be a Primary Beneficiary' If Reform Fails, Consulting Firm Says
The argument is simple: Wellpoint's business model is uncommonly concentrated in the individual and small-group markets. Those are the exact markets that health-care reform will drastically change.
[Washington Post, 3/4/2010] | 