Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day One in every six dollars in the U.S. economy is spent on health care today. [CMS Office of the Actuary] If we do nothing, in 30 years, one out of every three dollars in our economy will be tied up in the health care system. [CMS Office of the Actuary] | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $51,999,107,891 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured. Under the Microscope SPEAKING TO THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH REFORM The President spoke to a large crowd in Strongville, Ohio today about what’s in health insurance reform and the need for reform. Also today, Consumer Reports online will be interviewing HHS Secretary Sebelius on the health insurance reform package. THE COST OF FAILURE TO PASS HEALTH REFORM A new analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Cost of Failure to Enact Health Reform, spells out the catastrophic consequences if health insurance reform is not enacted. The analysis shows that middle-class households and small businesses would suffer most. With premiums expected to nearly double in the next 10 years without reform, employers would pass a greater share of the cost onto employees or simply drop coverage altogether. The report estimates that by 2010 only 23 percent of small businesses would be able to offer health insurance and the percentage of families without coverage would rise from 19 to 28 percent. The report comes out in time for the eighth annual Cover the Uninsured Week. TODAY’S HEALTH REFORM NUMBER: 1 If we do nothing, in 30 years, one out of every three dollars in our economy will be tied up in the health care system. Currently, one in every six dollars in the U.S. economy is spent on health care. Skyrocketing health care costs aren't just crippling the U.S. economy -- they're emptying the pocketbooks of American families. If we do not enact health insurance reform, individual and family spending on premiums and out-of-pocket health care costs could increase 79 percent in just 10 years. Bottom line: the cost of doing nothing is too high. The time is now to reform our broken health care system. Every idea has been put on the table. Every argument has been made. Everything there is to say about health reform has been said. Let’s get it done. Follow the health reform daily numbers on WhiteHouse.gov and on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn.
Health Care Headlines Democratic Leaders Say Health Bill Will Pass
Democratic leaders scrambled Sunday to pull together enough support in the House for a make-or-break decision on health-care reform later this week, expressing optimism that a package will soon be signed into law by President Obama despite a lack of firm votes for passage. [Washington Post, 3/15/2010] Leaders Gird for Final Push on Health Care
Democratic leaders are at the top of the last hill on their roller-coaster health care debate, and though there are still a few kinks that could derail the effort, Democrats are increasingly confident in their ability to succeed.
[Roll Call, 3/15/2010] Catholic Health Association Breaks With Bishops, Backs Senate Health Care Bill
Breaking with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the president of the Catholic Health Association has endorsed the Senate health care reform legislation that is scheduled to be voted on by the House of Representatives this week. [Catholic World News, 3/15/2010] Catholic Hospitals Support Health Care Bill
A group representing Catholic hospitals Saturday rallied behind President Barack Obama's health care bill ahead of a House vote in which anti-abortion lawmakers could play a decisive role.
[Associated Press, 3/13/2010] Abortion Language Likely to Remain Unchanged
House Democratic leaders are growing increasingly confident that they can avoid an impasse on abortion when they vote later this week on health care legislation. [Roll Call, 3/15/2010] After Delay, Dem Allies Join Health Care Fight
House Dem leaders will have new incentives to win over vulnerable members reconsidering their health care votes as a host of party allies prepare to launch a barrage of new ads supporting the reform effort.
[National Journal, 3/15/2010] EDITORIAL: More Than Onerous
After a year of national debate, a handful of House Democrats who oppose abortion may be the ones to decide whether health care reform goes forward or not. [New York Times, 3/15/2010] OPINION: Why Republicans Should Support Health Care Reform
By Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Member of Congress 1995-2008
I've been a Republican all my life, when I served in the Illinois legislature, when I worked for members of Congress and when I served in Congress. [Chicago Tribune, 3/14/2010] OPINION: Universal Health Care Tends To Cut the Abortion Rate
By T.R. Reid
Countless arguments have been advanced for and against the pending bills to increase health-care coverage. Both sides have valid concerns, which makes the battle tight [Washington Post, 3/14/2010] OPINION: The President’s Rebound
By Ben Goddard
We now have what appears to be the final healthcare reform message strategy from both the White House and the Republican leadership. [The Hill, 3/10/2010] COMMENTARY: Most Americans want health care reform
By Joel Benenson
It is ironic that Democratic pollsters Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen felt "compelled" to "challenge the myths" about public attitudes on health care by simply restating one of the most commonly stated -- and patently wrong -- Republican myths [Washington Forum, March 12]. [Washington Post, 3/13/2010]
Read Benenson’s polling memo. | 