Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day H.R. 3962 creates a $10 Billion fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64. | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
 facebook  twitter |
|
| Health Resources |
At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $36,711,700,908 This Year In Additional Premium Costs To Cover Care For The Uninsured. Under the Microscope HOUSE HEALTH REFORM BY THE NUMBERS The broad and deep show of support for the House health insurance reform bill by dozens of organizations shows just how much input has been incorporated into this legislation. The numbers below detail the deliberative and thorough process of bringing H.R. 3962 to the House Floor. - Since 2007, House Democrats have held 100 health reform-related hearings
- Since the beginning of the year House Democrats have held nearly 3,000 health reform events with constituents
- House Members have heard 181 witnesses on health reform bill hearings
- House Members have spent 83 hours in Committee markups
- House Members have considered 239 amendments; approving 121
The public and Members have had ample time to review the legislation from beginning to end: - The draft bill was online 25 days before H.R. 3200 was introduced.
- H.R. 3200 was posted online for 30 days before the first Committee markup.
- Each amendment and how Committee Members voted was posted online.
- H.R. 3200 was posted online for 107 days before introducing the merged bill.
- Text of the new bill, H.R. 3962, was posted on October 29, allowing Members and the public more than a week to review it before a House vote.
- The Manager’s Amendment (introduced November 3) will be available for more than 72 hours before a Floor vote, fulfilling a commitment made by House Leadership.
- Rules Committee hearing televised on C-Span.
HOYER AOL OP-ED TODAY ON AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT OPINION: The More the Public Knows About Our Reform, The More They Like It
By House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD)
For too long, skyrocketing health care costs have strained our families' budgets, hampered our small businesses, and eaten up a greater and greater share of our economy each year. It's time to put a stop to it. The Affordable Health Care for America Act being considered by the House of Representatives will do just that. [AOL, 11/6/2009]
Health Care Headlines Hoyer: Health Care Bill’s Passage Expected This Weekend
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer predicted passage of a health care overhaul bill would come Saturday evening even as House Democrats worked Friday to corral the needed votes to pass the measure.
[CQ Today, 11/6/2009] Obama Administration: We (Heart) House Health Care Bill
The White House just released a lengthy statement supporting the House health care plan.
[Talking Points Memo, 11/6/2009] Read about Economists backing the House bill. Obama to Emphasize Substance of Health Reform
President Barack Obama plans to make a straightforward case for the need for health care reform when he appears before House Democrats on Saturday on Capitol Hill — but he also will mention the importance of simply making some progress on the issue. [Roll Call, 11/5/2009] Democratic Leaders Push Ahead With Medicare Physician Payment Legislation
House Democratic leaders intend to approve a rule today that would govern debate on legislation to change the way doctors are paid under Medicare, but Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said the bill would not be considered until the week of Nov. 16. [CQ Today, 11/6/2009] Seniors and Doctors Give Key Boost to Healthcare Bill
With a historic House vote on a $1-trillion healthcare bill barely 48 hours away, battle lines are hardening as lobbying groups for seniors and doctors endorse the legislation, while thousands of protesters swarmed Capitol Hill to oppose it. [L.A. Times, 11/6/2009] House Democrats Seek Allies for Health Care Vote
House Democratic leaders worked furiously on Thursday to secure the final votes for weekend approval of a sweeping health care overhaul as President Obama threw his weight behind the lobbying effort and Republicans dug in against the health plan. [New York Times, 11/6/2009] Health Care Opponents Intensify Late Attack
The sweeping health care overhaul package before Congress is under an 11th-hour attack over a pair of emotional issues, abortion and immigration, that are complicating Democrats’ efforts to piece together the coalition they need to pass the bill. [Boston Globe, 11/6/2009] Activists Bring 'Tea Party' To Capitol Hill
With the stage set for a historic House vote on health-care reform this weekend, an estimated 10,000 conservative activists descended on Capitol Hill on Thursday for a campaign-style rally in a last-ditch effort to defeat a bill they demonized as "Pelosi-Care." [Washington Post, 11/6/2009] EDITORIAL: The Republican Health Plan
Here is the first thing you need to know: It would do almost nothing to reduce the scandalously high number of Americans who have no insurance. And it makes only a token stab at slowing the relentlessly rising costs of medical care. [New York Times, 11/6/2009] EDITORIAL: ... and GOP plan falls short
There aren't many advantages to being the minority party. But one is the freedom to not stick your neck out while going after your opponent's jugular. House Republicans showed this with their 11th hour introduction of an alternative health care plan. [USA Today, 11/6/2009] OPINION: Affordable, Quality Health Care For All
By Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA)
House Democrats have announced our plan to reform our nation’s health insurance system and ensure affordable, quality health care for all Americans. The Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, builds on what Democrats heard from their constituents over the summer to produce legislation that offers security and stability, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves Americans’ choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans. [San Diego Union Tribune, 11/6/2009] COMMENTARY: No One Said Freedom Was Pretty
By Dana Milbank
The call to arms went out last week. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who made her name suggesting that Barack Obama and other Democrats have "anti-American" views, appeared on Fox News on Friday night and urged Americans to come to Washington to protest. [Washington Post, 11/6/2009] | 