“Historic Moment?” Pelosi Unveils House Version of Health Care Bill

On Capitol Hill today after months of debate, the House unveiled its version of the health care bill. The bill merges terms from three separate bills written by three different House committees.

This bill differs from the Senate’s health care bill in two major ways. It would increase income tax on the affluent (defined as individuals earning more than $500,000 per year, $1 million for joint filers) by adding a 5.4% surtax. The House bill also includes a public health insurance option that would not allow states to opt-out, a much more effective proposal policy-wise than the Senate’s bill.

Not only would a public option be available through this bill, but Federal subsidies would be available to millions of lower-income individuals and families to help them afford a health insurance policy.
The bill would also mandate individuals to purchase health insurance.

A major and most notable aspect of the House bill is that it would increase Medicaid coverage to 150% of the poverty level or $33,000 for a family of four.

This legislation would expand health insurance coverage to 96 percent of Americans. Definitely a step in the right direction, but will it be enough in the fight for health care for ALL?

Instead of a “robust” public option that would be tied to Medicare rates, rates will be negotiated by doctors and hospitals.

With this version of a public health insurance option, the House bill would actually make health insurance less affordable for the government and consumers than if it were covered by Medicare rates.

Perhaps a compromise Pelosi made with blue-dog democrats?

This negotiating tactic is disconcerting since it will also lesson the public option’s ability to compete with private insurance companies, allowing these greedy powerhouses to have greater control over the U.S. health care system than if Medicare rates were used. A solid proposal Pelosi has apparently “sacrificed.”

Additionally, the House bill has dropped numerous provisions that would allow states to experiment with single-payer plans.

Despite these blatant weaknesses, compared to the former broken U.S. health care system our country is ON ITS WAY to making sweeping monumental changes.

A prominent hospital, the Federation of American Hospitals, recognized this and has espoused the bill calling it “an important milestone.”

Yes, “an important milestone” but we are just not 100% there yet!

It is significant that the House finally recognizes the essential importance of a public option.
However, certain aspects of the bill still need to be altered to ensure ALL Americans will be guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care.