Good morning everyone!
It's a beautiful day in sunny south, fl. As I woke up today, I had a feeling...that today was going to be a great day. That revelation was confirmed w/ some great news by way of Washington D.C. What is this great news? you may ask. Well, the $894 billion health care bill has gained enough votes to go to the House. YAY!!! :-) I can't say that I saw it coming b/c the power of lobbyist in D.C. is strong but I'm glad that our legislators disregarded all the pressured placed on them and did the right thing. "It's about DAMN time!!!" lol. In all seriousness though, this bill was way overdue. It's amazing to me how it took a black president to come into office in order for us to bring to the forefront the issues that truly affect our daily lives...health care definitely being at the top of that list. Obama said change was going to come and today's health care milestone definitely reinforces that statement. Now, it's time to pass this bill so we can address another important problem: JOBS!!! lol but that will occur in due time. Until then, to those whom are involved in the forming and passing of this bill, I encourage you to keep up the great work! I appreciate all the time and effort that you put in on a day to day basis to make my life as well as the lives of the American people better. With that being said, check out the article below on this historic moment and the details of the heath care bill. Feel free to share your thoughts and/or leave any comments you may have. I'd love to hear from you. On that note, I am proud to present: 'It's About Time!!! $894 billion Healthcare Bill'. Enjoy!
10-30) 04:00 PDT Washington - -- There was rock music instead of trumpets as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow House Democrats used every flourish Thursday to frame their new $894 billion health care measure as historic legislation on par with the creation of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965.
The nearly 2,000-page bill would transform the health care landscape. Many of its consequences would remain unclear for years to come. There are serious questions about its effect on budget deficits, despite claims to the contrary, and it does not contain the most robust option of a government-run insurance plan that Pelosi and liberals wanted.
But at a minimum, the 10-year plan would greatly expand coverage to an estimated 36 million more Americans - up to 96 percent of all citizens - and immediately ban insurance companies from canceling policies when people get sick and capping lifetime benefits.
The bill would also by 2013 provide access to insurance for those who have been denied it based on pre-existing conditions, a term that increasingly covers anyone who has been diagnosed with any kind of illness.
The coverage expansion would be financed primarily through a 5.4 percent surtax on individuals making more than $500,000 a year or families earning above $1 million, and cuts to privately run policies in Medicare known as "Medicare Advantage."
Businesses with payrolls above $250,000 would pay penalties if they don't provide coverage. Most individuals would be required to buy insurance but young people would be allowed to remain on their parents' plans until age 27.
When a heckler shouted out that Pelosi would "burn in hell," the speaker shot back, "Thank you, insurance companies of America." Among its many provisions, the legislation would strip insurance companies of their antitrust exemption.
"There are still some outstanding issues, but ... we arrived at the consensus necessary to get more than 218 votes" for passage in the House, said Rep. George Miller, the Martinez Democrat who is a key architect. "I am confident this bill will pass."
Significant Changes
The legislation is the result of months of tense negotiations. Several significant changes were made from the bills first rolled out in August, including a large expansion of insurance exchanges, through which people who do not have insurance or work for small businesses could buy regulated private plans or choose the "public option" of a government-run plan.
The expansion would gradually increase the numbers of employers who could allow their workers to access the exchanges, starting with small businesses up to 25 employees in 2013, and three years later, opening the exchanges to employees of large companies, should the Health and Human Services secretary allow it.
Many economists believe such exchanges, if large enough, could introduce powerful competitive forces into the health care industry by providing individual consumers control over their health insurance rather than having to rely on plans their employers pick.
Prevention programs were expanded from pilots subject to an annual appropriation to a mandatory $34 billion, 10-year fund for community disease-prevention programs, childhood obesity grants and grants for small employers to create workplace wellness programs.
Public Option
The public option that has been the locus of much controversy took on a more centrist cast: The government-run plan will have to negotiate rates with doctors and hospitals, rather than have its rates tied to Medicare. This is a bow to members in rural districts who contend that low Medicare rates are driving their doctors and hospitals out of business.
The bill also makes a nod to a key Republican idea that insurance companies should be allowed to sell policies across state lines to increase competition; the bill would allow states to enter into compacts with each other to do so.
Nothing in domestic policy is more complex, controversial or personal than health care, a $2.6 trillion industry that consumes $1 out of every $6 Americans spend.
Republicans reacted swiftly, making clear that the enormous undertaking will be a partisan affair. The GOP slammed the bill as government-run health care that will raise taxes, kill jobs, cut Medicare and ultimately destroy private insurance. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of "blowing past the American people."
The legislation still has far to go. Leaders are working furiously to resolve a demand by conservative Democrats that no public funds be used to provide abortions. The complex dynamics of the Senate, where any single senator can block legislation, remain a wild card.
Key provisions of health bill
Access: Gives 36 million more people access to insurance, extending coverage to about 96 percent of the U.S. population.
Public option: Creates a public option in which the government would negotiate rates with providers instead of tying rates to Medicare.
Insurance exchange: Greatly expands an insurance exchange under which people not covered by employers or working for small businesses could choose private plans or the public option.
Restrictions: Bans insurers from canceling policies when people get sick and limiting lifetime coverage, while giving people access to the exchange who can't otherwise get coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
Surtax: Imposes a 5.4 percent surtax on individuals earning more than $500,000 a year and couples earning $1 million.
oh i see,
ReplyDeleteim glad you posted this,
and i didnt know you were from texas haha
I'm actually born & raised in Fl but Texas is my new home away from home, lol. We recently bought a vacation house in between Pearland & Sugarland. So when I have a break from school I go out there... relax and party in H-Town.
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