Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Jan 27, 2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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• Committee Assignment: House Energy and Commerce

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Ways and Means

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Ways and Means committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Natural Resources

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Natural Resources committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Energy and Commerce - Health

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce - Health committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• This bill establishes the United States National Health Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care. Such a program would be financed by the USNHC Trust Fund via existing sources of government health care revenue, by increasing personal income taxes of the top 5% income earners and by instituting a progressive excise tax on payroll and self employment income, as well as on stock and bond transactions. While the Indian Health Services would eventually be integrated in the program, the independence of the Veterans Affairs health programs would remain under evaluation.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: This bill establishes the United States National Health Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care. Such a program would be financed by the USNHC Trust Fund via existing sources of government health care revenue, by increasing personal income taxes of the top 5% income earners and by instituting a progressive excise tax on payroll and self employment income, as well as on stock and bond transactions. While the Indian Health Services would eventually be integrated in the program, the independence of the Veterans Affairs health programs would remain under evaluation.

Supporting Organizations

• United Steelworkers

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• United Church of Christ

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• National Education Association

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• United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, UE

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• UAW

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• Progressive Democrats of America

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• American Medical Student Association

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• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

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• Physicians for a National Health Program

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• Jobs With Justice - Massachusetts

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• National Nurses Organizing Committee

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• California Nurses Association

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• Peace Team

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• American Federation of Musicians

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• Service Employees International Union

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• National Association of Letter Carriers

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• Citizens Alliance for National Health Insurance

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• International Longshore & Warehouse Union

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Opposing Organizations

• American Farm Bureau Federation

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• American Apparel and Footwear Association

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• WellPoint Incorporated

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• America's Health Insurance Plans

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• American Bakers Association

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• American Benefits Council

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• American Hotel and Lodging Association

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• American Lighting Association

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• American Petroleum Institute

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• American Rental Association

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• Direct Marketing Association

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• Independent Electrical Contractors

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• International Dairy Foods Association

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• National Association of Home Builders

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• National Association of Manufacturers

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• National Federation of Independent Business

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• National Roofing Contractors Association

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• National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association

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• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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• Associated Builders and Contractors

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• Associated General Contractors

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• National Retail Federation

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• National Franchisee Association

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• Brick Industry Association

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• Business Roundtable

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

• (a) In General- All individuals residing in the United States (including any territory of the United States) are covered under the USNHC Program entitling them to a universal, best quality standard of care. Each such individual shall receive a card with a unique number in the mail. An individual’s social security number shall not be used for purposes of registration under this section. (9 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(a) In General- All individuals residing in the United States (including any territory of the United States) are covered under the USNHC Program entitling them to a universal, best quality standard of care. Each such individual shall receive a card with a unique number in the mail. An individual’s social security number shall not be used for purposes of registration under this section.",
• (a) In General- The health care benefits under this Act cover all medically necessary services, including at least the following: (8 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(a) In General- The health care benefits under this Act cover all medically necessary services, including at least the following:",
• (1) IN GENERAL- No institution may be a participating provider unless it is a public or not-for-profit institution. Private physicians, private clinics, and private health care providers shall continue to operate as private entities, but are prohibited from being investor owned. (6 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(1) IN GENERAL- No institution may be a participating provider unless it is a public or not-for-profit institution. Private physicians, private clinics, and private health care providers shall continue to operate as private entities, but are prohibited from being investor owned.",
• (5) Prescription drugs. (5 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(5) Prescription drugs.",
• (4) COMPENSATION FOR CONVERSION- The owners of such for-profit providers shall be compensated for reasonable financial losses incurred as a result of the conversion from for-profit to non-profit status. (4 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(4) COMPENSATION FOR CONVERSION- The owners of such for-profit providers shall be compensated for reasonable financial losses incurred as a result of the conversion from for-profit to non-profit status.",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On January 27, 2009, by rbain1 - This bill is the best approach to reforming our broken health care system. Eliminate the health insurance companies and let Medicare be expanded to include every American. Best common sense approach to the problem.

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  As noted by rbain1, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 27, 2009, "This bill is the best approach to reforming our broken health care system. Eliminate the health insurance companies and let Medicare be expanded to include every American. Best common sense approach to the problem."
• On January 29, 2009, by Anonymous - In my five years of Medicare coverage there has been no dimishment in the time or level of care. Huge savings should result along with expanded care to those not receiving it or paying far too much.

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  As noted by Anonymous, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 29, 2009, "In my five years of Medicare coverage there has been no dimishment in the time or level of care. Huge savings should result along with expanded care to those not receiving it or paying far too much."
• On February 10, 2009, by boompa - Government is not the primary reason for the high medical care costs. It is the insurance companies! The next time you visit your doc just ask him. Don't be so shy.

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  As noted by boompa, a user on OpenCongress.org, on February 10, 2009, "Government is not the primary reason for the high medical care costs. It is the insurance companies! The next time you visit your doc just ask him. Don't be so shy."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• Reporter Ellison? Rep takes on public option on House floor ... - February 10, 2012 by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ - According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ...

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  As noted by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ on February 10, 2012, "According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ..." (/url?q=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php%3Faz%3Dview_all%26address%3D102x3964104&sa=U&ei=S6w8T62sF6aw2QW_o_T_Bw&ved=0CCwQmAEwAw&usg=AFQjCNEAgFQqCwlxbjH77nPVc-qhsKsBSA)
• Reporter Ellison? Rep takes on public option on House floor ... - February 10, 2012 by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ - According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ...

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  As noted by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ on February 10, 2012, "According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ..." (/url?q=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php%3Faz%3Dview_all%26address%3D102x3964104&sa=U&ei=Zlo7T9i6B7To2gWH5JSeCg&ved=0CCwQmAEwAw&usg=AFQjCNH3kFFo1y0Y-THM4n3USl5gGzd0iw)
• Reporter Ellison? Rep takes on public option on House floor ... - February 10, 2012 by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ - According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ...

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  As noted by http://www.democraticunderground.com/ on February 10, 2012, "According to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h676/show that bill provides "all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care, which would encompass primary care and prevention, ..." (/url?q=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php%3Faz%3Dview_all%26address%3D102x3964104&sa=U&ei=WQY6T_-TKOyA2QWNipWsCg&ved=0CCwQmAEwAw&usg=AFQjCNHhoEEcY_uR_PqAT8_9ph4z-MkfXA)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Pearl Korn: Dems, Progressive Activist Organizations and Unions? - April 18, 2010 by Huffington Post - ...for those coming taxes on "Cadillac" plans to be held off until 2018. This union, with over 11 million members, supports H.R. 676 and could have been a force for change once again, lifting all boats as it did in the late 40's when it helped to create th

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  As noted by Huffington Post on April 18, 2010, "...for those coming taxes on "Cadillac" plans to be held off until 2018. This union, with over 11 million members, supports H.R. 676 and could have been a force for change once again, lifting all boats as it did in the late 40's when it helped to create th" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pearl-korn/dems-progressive-activist_b_542450.html)
• Letters to the editor - October 28, 2009 by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - ...be called "a friendly takeover of government, a leveraged buyout of democracy." We need U.S. representatives to support H.R. 676, not merely a public option. Without universal coverage to offer to manufacturers, we may lose them to countries that have i

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  As noted by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on October 28, 2009, "...be called "a friendly takeover of government, a leveraged buyout of democracy." We need U.S. representatives to support H.R. 676, not merely a public option. Without universal coverage to offer to manufacturers, we may lose them to countries that have i" (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091029/OPINION03/910290326/1008/RSS04)
• Grijalva: Medical Security Is the Name of the Game - September 16, 2009 by Common Dreams (press release) - Although Congress does not appear to have the stomach to pass HR 676, there's every reason to believe that we can secure Medicare for All, once states begin ...

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  As noted by Common Dreams (press release) on September 16, 2009, "Although Congress does not appear to have the stomach to pass HR 676, there's every reason to believe that we can secure Medicare for All, once states begin ..." (http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/09/17-1)