Blog - House Health Care Reform Draft Bill 
House Health Care Reform Draft Bill
June 19, 2009 - by Donny Shaw
UPDATE: The House’s health care bill has been introduced you can read all about it and comment on it here:
H.R. 3200 – America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009
Today, the three House committees that have been working on a House version of a health care reform bill released a discussion draft version. Expectation was that the House bill would go further than either the Senate HELP or Senate Finance versions by including a robust public option, and that does in fact seem to be the case.
- House Health Care Reform Discussion Draft (852-page .pdf)
The Dow Jones Newswire has an initial report on what’s in it:
The plan would provide subsidies on a sliding scale for families up to 400% of the poverty-level, according to the outline. Those credits could be used to purchase insurance through a new government-run “exchange” that includes both private insurance and government plans.
The House proposal has huge implications for the insurance industry. Besides creating a new “public option” that would compete with private plans, it would cap out-of-pocket costs to policy-holders and prohibit insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
The draft outline released Friday by key House committees is conceptual in nature and leaves out many details, including a plan for how Congress would pay for the cost of program expansions.
Employers of all sizes would be affected by the House health-care blueprint. The plan would require firms to offer health insurance to their employees, or pay a fee of 8% of payroll, according to the outline. To avoid the fee, employer-sponsored health plans must meet minimum benefit and contribution requirements.
Individuals would be required by law to purchase health coverage, or pay a penalty of 2% of adjusted gross income above an unspecified level. The fee could be waived in cases of hardship.
UPDATE: Besides the legislative text they released earlier, the House Committee on Education and Labor has now released a slew of other informative documents:
The House Tri-Committee Health Reform Discussion Draft: Summary >>
What’s In the Health Care Reform Bill for You? >>
The Health Insurance Exchange >>
Shared Responsibility >>
Public Health Insurance Option >>
Guaranteed Benefits >>
Making Coverage Affordable >>
White House Statement on the House Discussion Draft for Health Care Reform >>
Education and Labor Chairman George Miller’s Statement >>
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Displaying 1-30 of 42 total comments.
Sorry. Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.
I am from Australia and , too, and now am writing in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: " The half amount for each liberal is voluntary.Awp was temporarily able.It raised a doctor of residing and including boards to pay at this index for us.The nothing is an nursing time, which expects a coupon or office, medicare-eligible as a liability or degree money."
THX :D, Okelani.
Why is Universal Health Care in all the other industrial Countries if it is so
bad??
is it better to sit back and do nothing or go ahead and fail? who knows, maybe this is the answer but we will never know unless we try. isn't that the basis of the constitution----we are a nation that is allowed to try......
It seems to me that most of the people commenting here have not read or at least are not commenting on the Draft, myself included
That "Medical Community Home" idea for the chronically ill - me! - is the same as shoving us into the YMCA until we die. To qualify, the "Home" can't have an M.D. on staff. And this is quality care!
This Bill is garbage ~ flush it!
Obama is a terrist n the white house how long is it going to take people to see
it he needs to leave us alone we can take care of our own
I can't ignore the stupidity posted here. People don't want to be forced to buy health insurance? What? Unless you're a machine, you're going to get sick and someone will have to pay for it. Who would you suggest that be? Instead of complaining, come up with a better plan. Use your own mind and appreciate that the government is addressing a very real problem with bravery and a lot of opposition, something I might add that Mr. Bush avoiding confronting at all. We would not be in this financial crisis, housing crisis, banking crisis, etc., etc., if it were not for the last 8 failed years. Where were these critics then? We all have rights and I exercised mine by voting as did the vast majority of Americans and what we want is a fair government, not one that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. Is that what you want?
You all swore to uphold the constitution! Stop your constant violation of the tenth amendment and return the vast majority of governmental power to the people and the states where the power belongs! The Declaration of Independence was drafted in response to the same kind of tyranny that the federal government is inflicting on this nation. We are tired your treason!
amen
The people never really hold power in this world. Just try to start a rebellion or a protest and it gets shut down faster than a sledgehammer into a Dell PC. The only difference I see is that people complain on the internet about a black president making an effort to implement a beneficial but flawed plan. In comparison to Bush and his patriot act which essentially stripped Americans of their rights, Obama is a saint and Bush is a growth on the body of Lucifer that was chopped off and sent to Earth to wreak havoc on the America people and lose them 1 trillion dollars.
Watch this country split apart, the blues are saying racsist thing about the Reds, The reds are mis-informed about the blues. I think that health care should be redone, but this is not the way, how about come up with something that doesnt make remember the color they voted, its all i hear on left and right radio.
Basically- either have insurance companies run it or have the government run it, it will always cost the same becuase they all work for pharmaceutical companies, they tell us what things cost, how much x-rays cost. How about let the Doctors figure it out.
But that doesnt matter i like watching us tare each-other apart becuase all great democracy falls- its just funny how we do it on a discussion help each other, hahaha
Watch this country split apart, the blues are saying racsist thing about the Reds, The reds are mis-informed about the blues. I think that health care should be redone, but this is not the way, how about come up with something that doesnt make remember the color they voted, its all i hear on left and right radio.
Basically- either have insurance companies run it or have the government run it, it will always cost the same becuase they all work for pharmaceutical companies, they tell us what things cost, how much x-rays cost. How about let the Doctors figure it out.
But that doesnt matter i like watching us tare each-other apart becuase all great democracy falls- its just funny how we do it on a discussion help each other, hahaha
All I can say is "I want my money back, my freedom to make choices back!!!". I just hope that someone is able to fix this mess that Obama has made. He is on a spending spree. We need change, but not in the manner he is doing so. Way to much money and making too many changes too fast.
If AMERICANS want health care change, then we the people should have the vote on whether we want to spend more money on HIS health care plan. PUT THE REFORM FOR A VOTE BY THE PEOPLE. If we are to have govern run programs that are controlled by our government, then it is the right of the people to vote on it. Some elected Obama to run our government as well as those in the house, then let US vote on this too.
It's on pages 425-430 and yes, they'll be asking you to deny food and water so you'll die sooner and cheaper.
Don't listen to the lies of the Republicans. The Obama plan is to be all inclusive. the Republicans are creating fear about euthenasia for elders , death because of pre-conditions.
Listen to the Obama plan from President Obama only. The Republicans are only trying to stop health care sothat the Insurance, Pharmaceuticals and Layers that protect them, stay in a rich business of ripping you off. The doctors wages go down and the average person gets reimbursed less and less..
The Republicans are creating smoke screens and trying anything to have this fail and bring the Obama Government come down.
You are closer to health care reform than any other time in history. Read the smart information.
I am an anonymous Canadian and I can clearly see that the Republicans are telling lies hand over fist to protect their white GOP mentality.
Moderated Comment
Okay so now the answer is whenever someone has a different opinion from Obama or the Democrats lets blame Republicans. i can't be that someone might make up their own mind. This is just getting ridiculous. Everything is blamed on the Republicans. Oh, and lets demonize the insurance companies. Does anyone even look into their medical claims? The cost of insurance is in control of doctors, pharmaceutical companies and the person receiving the health care. Yes, insurance companies help drive cost up, but they don't start it. .I'm tired of the Obama Administration using my money to back back his buddies that got him elected. Everyone sees what the Republicans are doing, and guess what, the Democrats do it too. Hopefully people stop believing everything Obama says and starts researching for themselves.
"Listen to the Obama plan from President Obama only."
LMAO! What? So conflicting views are prohibited? There is no room for debate? No room for Americans to discuss what they want from their government? The broken campaign promises are reason enough to take Obama's word with skepticism.
I'll listen to debate, form my own opinion, and though I won't always like it, I'll support what the public wants; THAT is democracy. What you propose is marching orders. You belong in a monarchy (if not a dictatorship) with your views.
You make it sound as if Obama is the only president to break a promise...It's politics my friend if you get even half of what you're promised, consider yourself blessed.
Read the bill before you make stupid statements. Obama only wants to provide healthcare to everyone at our expense to get re-elected again. And why not, they have a different healthcare program that's exempt from this bill.IF IT'S SO GREAT, THAN WHY EXEMPT ANYONE.
Moderated Comment
Read the entire bill people. Senior Citizens are almost entirely denied health care. Over 50% of all the budget for this is being taken from senior citizens. And anyone with an incurable desease will be denied basic health care.
So if I'm reading this right, people with Dementia, CP, High grade cancer, ect... would be denied health care.
And this is another point I must be mistaken on. Every five years, if you don't have the government formed health insurance you are to be interviewed by a physician who will discuss with you to either switch over or ais society in shortening your life. I almost know I'm reading this wrong. Someone Google the report and read it please and help me understand. I think it's on pages 15 & 16.
Tell me why I should help to pay for the healthcare of people who overeat, do not exercise, overweight, and practice risky behavior. Why punish me instead of those who don't care about their own health? People blame on everything else but being responsible.
Our healthcare system is suffering from more than lack of reimbursement, which is what this bill is attempting to resolve. The entire system needs to be revamped from what kinds of physicians we put into practice, how we educate them, how to utilize specialties like Nurse Practitioners and PA's, how Primary Care is truely utilized, how everyone gets paid, and patient flow.
This bill misses the mark.
The actual mark is that other countries do not allow the frivilous lawsuits and giant payouts. They have higher taxes, can only use medical services in their neighborhoods, and EVERYONE must pay something for their care.
"Individuals would be required by law to purchase health coverage, or pay a penalty of 2% of adjusted gross income above an unspecified level. The fee could be waived in cases of hardship."
Does this mean I forgo my freedom to choose whether I have insurance or not?
No nationalized health care !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at the other countries that have tried this.
Yes. Please, look at other countries who were able to successfully implement public health and you'll find several key points:
1. They have far better healthcare outcomes than the USA
2. They have universal access to healthcare
3. Their healthcare costs are roughly half what ours are.
4. The citizens of the EU and UK pay far less than US citizens do in healthcare costs
5. The doctors of the UK and EU are actually allowed to practice medicine rather than be financial wizzes.
You are one of millions of Americans that are being mislead about nationalized health care.
Soylent green. Page 425 of the house bill.
"Yes. Please, look at other countries who were able to successfully implement public health and you'll find several key points:
1. They have far better healthcare outcomes than the USA
2. They have universal access to healthcare
3. Their healthcare costs are roughly half what ours are.
4. The citizens of the EU and UK pay far less than US citizens do in healthcare costs
5. The doctors of the UK and EU are actually allowed to practice medicine rather than be financial wizzes.
You are one of millions of Americans that are being mislead about nationalized health care. "
You are just plain stupid if you believe this! If you like that health care plan they have in the UK then go there but don't subject the rest of us to it.