Health Care Bill Nears Key Milestone

Washington Post: Finance Committee Will Soon Finish Its Work as House, Senate Leaders Prepare for Floor Debate

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Shailagh Murray and Lori Montgomery.

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The long quest to reform the nation's health-care system entered uncharted legislative territory early Friday when a key Senate panel wrapped up work on its bill and House and Senate leaders prepared for historic floor debates.

The Senate Finance Committee, the fifth and final congressional panel to contribute to the legislation, dispensed with its last amendment at 2:08 a.m., sending President Obama's top domestic policy initiative to a threshold that has eluded presidents since Harry S. Truman. As the panel completed the measure that is expected to form the backbone of health-insurance reform legislation, a political consensus large enough to carry the plan to final passage appeared to emerge.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

In a statement issued early Friday, Obama hailed the bill authored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, calling it "another milestone in our effort to pass health insurance reform." As a result of lawmakers' work, "we are now closer than ever before to finally passing reform that will offer security to those who have coverage and affordable insurance to those who don't," he said.

"We have a long way to go," Obama said, but he expressed confidence that Congress would pass a reform package "this year."

Baucus (D-Mont.) delayed a committee vote on the overall bill until next week, though he said he has enough support to pass the package out of committee. The bill, which Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) will merge with a Senate health committee measure, appears to meet the reform criteria Obama laid out last month in an address to Congress.

"We can all be very proud of what we have achieved here," Baucus said as the committee's work drew to a close, after churning through 564 amendments.

"This bill will lower taxes for more than 42 million Americans and reduce the federal deficit," he said in announcing the completion of work on the package. "This bill will protect Medicare benefits for seniors. This bill will significantly expand health coverage."

The battle lines for the remainder of the debate were clearly drawn during the committee's deliberations and centered on how the bill would affect the middle class.

Republicans on the panel said the measure was riddled with revenue provisions that would violate Obama's 2008 campaign promise not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans. "There are going to be a lot of people whose taxes are increased by this legislation," said Sen. Michael D. Crapo (R-Idaho).

Democrats said broad support for reform would drive the effort forward. "Every Democrat, from the most liberal to the most conservative, realizes that it serves America's interest and our own interest to pass a bill," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).

The Finance Committee's package seeks to dramatically reshape the health insurance system by improving coverage for those who have it and making it more affordable for the millions of Americans who do not. It would prohibit private insurers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions and bar them from limiting benefits, either annually or over a lifetime.

For the uninsured, the measure would create state-run insurance exchanges, where low- and moderate-income people without access to affordable coverage through an employer could shop for policies and apply for federal subsidies to mitigate the cost of premiums. And the bill would vastly expand Medicaid, the government health program for the poor, adding more than 10 million people over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

One final piece of committee business was among the most significant: a measure that would have the effect of exempting 2 million people from the requirement to buy insurance and remove any possibility that people could face criminal penalties if they did not do so. The amendment was one of the few to garner broad bipartisan support.

Another area of consensus was the bipartisan opposition to creating a government plan that would compete with private insurers. The defection of five Democrats on a "public option" proposal offered Tuesday by Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) underscored the reservations among moderate Democrats of venturing too far from the private, employer-based system that has long defined the nation's health coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office initially pegged the cost of expanding coverage under the Finance Committee's proposal at $774 billion over the next decade, making the package far cheaper than the $1 trillion plan House leaders proposed and the only bill that meets Obama's demand to keep costs under $900 billion. Baucus has said that adjustments made during two weeks of deliberations are likely to bring the final cost closer to that mark.

Baucus's staff members spent much of Thursday negotiating with individual senators to lock down their support. Obama has maintained an active, if behind-the-scenes, role in coaxing the committee across the finish line. White House officials said he called Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine), the only Republican who may support the plan, on Tuesday, and phoned half a dozen committee Democrats on Thursday to ask about last-minute concerns.

The panel is expected to reconvene for a final vote Tuesday or Wednesday, giving congressional budget analysts time to determine whether the bill meets Obama's twin goals of significantly expanding coverage to the uninsured and not increasing the federal budget deficit. Reid then plans to merge the package with a measure approved by the Senate health committee and begin debate before the full Senate shortly after Columbus Day. The House also expects to begin action in mid-October.

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Schumer, a strong advocate of a public option, said he was working to build support for the idea among moderate Democrats, who have been skeptical of any plan to expand the federal government's role in the health-care system. One idea that appeared to be gaining traction is a proposal by Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) to let states decide how to encourage competition in their insurance markets, including through a public plan.

Beginning in 2013, the finance panel's package would require people to buy insurance or face penalties ranging up to $1,900, to be assessed on their income tax returns. It also would make it harder for taxpayers younger than 65 to deduct catastrophic medical expenses. Both provisions would fall heavily on the very taxpayers that Obama has vowed to protect, according to congressional tax analysts.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed Republican claims that the middle class would suffer, noting that the fines would hit only people who do not buy coverage and called the GOP charge "a silly argument that we can easily dispense with."

GOP proposals to exempt middle-class taxpayers from fees and taxes in the bill were defeated on narrow 12 to 11 votes, but the proposals attracted the backing of two moderates on the committee -- Snowe and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) -- suggesting that the issue could resurface as the debate advances.

Heading into the committee room mid-afternoon Thursday, Snowe said she was undecided about whether to support the bill and remained concerned that people could be forced to break their family budgets to buy insurance. She said she told Obama that any penalties should be deferred until "you're sure it's working on the affordability question."

Later, during committee debate, Snowe made the point more forcefully. "The obligation should be first and foremost on the United States government to ensure that these policies will be affordable in the marketplace. And right now we don't know that."

[chicagoguy49]

Until we pass true campaign finance reforms this and all other major needed changes will be hamstrung by the huge funds poured into the incumbents coffers. There are 6 health care lobbyists for every member of congress. This is especially true in the Senate where a few senators from states with minor percentages of the population can hold up what the majority in this country want and clearly voted for in November... Real Change. The democratic senators who are blocking the changes in Health care should be ashamed of themselves.

[chicagoguy49]

Until we pass true campaign finance reforms this and all other major needed changes will be hamstrung by the huge funds poured into the incumbents coffers. There are 6 health care lobbyists for every member of congress. This is especially true in the Senate where a few senators from states with minor percentages of the population can hold up what the majority in this country want and clearly voted for in November... Real Change. The democratic senators who are blocking the changes in Health care should be ashamed of themselves.

[Kyle197]

You have to wonder why President Obama keeps coming up with new reasons why we need ObamaCare. First it was to reduce costs, then it was a moral imperative, and now it will create jobs. He must think the average American has the intelligence of a doorknob. The proposed bills will actually increase costs and taxes and reduce our choices. No wonder they're such a hard sell. But at least we won't have to decide for ourselves what we can afford - the government will do that for us.

[daisyjingles]

Senator Charles Grassley (Republican - Iowa), the Finance Committee?s ranking Republican, received more than $2 million from the health and insurance sectors since 2003.

I have voted for Senator Grassley over the years, but some of the things he has said in the last several months have embarrassed me.

I hope he votes for Iowans who voted for change as opposed to voting so satisfy Republicans.

[charlie4022]

I'd like to find out where you guys go to de bathroom..

[charlie4022]

lalalalalalalala... lalalala... la.

[reveal5]

Insurance exchanges will make any consumer part of a large risk pool of insured. This will drive down costs for thr consumer who is not part of a large national company with thousands or tens of thousands of employees. Self employed individuals will become a part of a vast network of insured...this will lower costs for the self employed and small businesses. Reform means the health insurance companies will not be able to double your rates in the next ten years as they have in the past ten years. Reform means you will not be dropped from coverage if you forgot to mention some small medical problem or procedure in your medical history when you filled out your insurance application. Reform means your health insuror will not be able to double or triple your rates if you get sick. Reform means those with pre existing conditions must be insured at reasonable rates. Reform means the average consumer will save money and be assured that medical care and coverage will always be there in any scenario that can not be dropped or denied.

[charlie4022]

Just try sticking a salary cap on basketball.. Just try it.

[charlie4022]

They think fat is pretty up there.

[charlie4022]

Trust me, you do not wanna be like Canada. Canadians are... phuckkkked up sons'a byytches. Egos up der azzzholes..

[charlie4022]

pseudopholiculitus weirdoes..

[charlie4022]

WE'RE A BAD IMPRESSION ON OUR ELDERS!

[charlie4022]

My cousin's grandad is wearing one of them.. stupid phuckkkin nylon hats. And he's white and bald!

[charlie4022]

Thats not a black house. Thats a white house!

[charlie4022]

I say we revolt. Take back our country..

[reveal5]

Single payer is not, has not, and will not be included in healthcare reform. Medicare reform will institute best treatment methods gleaned from the best medical hospitals, clinics, and institutions in the country. These treatment methods produce better results, quicker patient wellness and save money. Medicare reform means seniors wioll receive better treatment methods which produce better results, quicker recovery times, and cost less for the taxpayer.....

[jschmidt27]

Reveal- thanks for the insults- appears that's all you know how to do instead of presenting facts. My observations of how Dems operate lead me to the conclusion that their goal as stated by Daschle, Frank and Obama is to have a single payer system. Their are plenty of youtube videos to support it. If you;ve looked at the PBS link I included previously you will see that single payer systems have major problems such as doctors not making enough and hospitals losing money. So that would logically result in doctors leaving the field as obstetricians have done in the Carolina due to high cost of malpractice insurance. Why should anyone spend 15 years in school if can't make the living they thought they could. THere are not many Albert Sweitzers around to do it for the good of mankind. Hospital already can't make it and this bill is reportedly going to remove 500billion from hospitals for medicare. So keep dreaming, bury your head in the sand that the Dems are looking out for you instead of themselves. Unfortunately, if this does pass we will all be in deep trouble with our economy and with declining healthcare services.

[reveal5]

Healthcare reform means lower costs in the future for medical insurance. Healthcare reform means no pre existing conditions, denial of coverage, exorbitant costs, or medical bankruptcy. Reform means insurance exchanges which will show in clear and understandable language costs and coverage over a range of insurors. Reform means anyone who applies for coverage must be covered at a reasonable premium cost. Reform means a public insurance option for the poorer and uninsured and very small businesses, or about 3 to 5 percent of Americans. Those who cannot afford insurance will be partially or fully subsidized. Reform means tens of thousands of Americans currently being denied medical care will receive care. Reform will not cover illegals, pay for abortion, or reduce services for seniors. Seniors will receive best treatment methods which mean better care, quicker recovery, and lower costs for seniors and the taxpayer who currently highly subsidizes Medicare.

[reveal5]

Healthcare reform means that spiraling medical and insurance cost which are now at about 18% of our GDP will not spiral up to 35% in the next ten years and drive the economy into bankruptcy. The Baucus bill will save billions and billions of consumer dollars in the first ten years and save hundreds of billions, perhaps a trillion dollars in the following ten years. The Baucus bill bends the cost curve in a downward direction according to the Congressional Budget Office which has analyzed and will reanalyze the bill in the next few days.

[reveal5]

A preponderance of doctors support healthcare reform. AARP supports reform, Drug and pharma support reform, and even some health insurance companies support healthcare reform. They all know that the current system is unsustainable and leaves too many Americans out in the cold to suffer and die.

[reveal5]

The public insurance option is meant to cover 3 to 5% of Americans. That's it...Senator Wyden, I believe would like to expand this. This is not acceptable to the senate so far. The public option would cover the poorer and uninsured and very small businesses. It is silly to try to reason with those who are simply incapable of reasonable discourse and remain highly misinformed. There are so many on the fringe who simply do not distinguish actual reality.

[jschmidt27]

Well you can believe that if you want. But I believe the Dems will lower the cost of the pubic option to win votes to the point where employers will bail out of providing coverage, and that will be the end of private insurers. Guess we will see. But calling people misinformed only makes you look like you have a superior attitude, which in case you haven't figured out really ticks off people. Guess you must love Pelosi.

[justdatrooth]

Obama swore that he would NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES sign a bill that didn't have a public option. Guess he had his fingers crossed again!!!

[reveal5]

justdatrooth...I do not believe your statement is true. The truth is that the fringe will say anything. This amoral approach to discussion of issues underlies the entire GOP. The GOP will say or do anything to further their aims. The GOP and the fringe are amoral.

[reveal5]

There are many who applaud the excesses of free enterprise and see an inherent right for the private sector to cheat the average citizen. These amoral folks also feel it is ok to fill the "Tea Party" folks with fear, hate, paranoia, and antagonism. This is also amoral. These folks also believe it is ok to let the poorer and uninsured die. This is amoral. The GOP always trumpets its virtues and considers itself morally superior. The truth is that the right wing and the GOP are amoral. This has always been the truth.