Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Sep 17, 2009 Introduced in Senate

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• Committee Assignment: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

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  This bill has been assigned to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• This is the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's (HELP) health care bill, approved by the committee on July 15, 2009. It seeks to ensure that all Americans have health insurance through a combination of consumer protections, market reforms and mandates. Like the House bill, this bill would put in place a public option to compete with private insurers, require most employers to provide insurance or pay a penalty and require individuals who don't get insurance though their job to purchase their own (with new government subsidies, if eligible). Insurance companies would no longer be able to deny coverage for an individual based on existing conditions. A complete outline can be read in this pdf from the committee. Once the Senate Finance Committee has completed the mark-up of their health care bill, the two Senate bills will be reconciled and brought the the floor for consideration.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: This is the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's (HELP) health care bill, approved by the committee on July 15, 2009. It seeks to ensure that all Americans have health insurance through a combination of consumer protections, market reforms and mandates. Like the House bill, this bill would put in place a public option to compete with private insurers, require most employers to provide insurance or pay a penalty and require individuals who don't get insurance though their job to purchase their own (with new government subsidies, if eligible). Insurance companies would no longer be able to deny coverage for an individual based on existing conditions. A complete outline can be read in this pdf from the committee. Once the Senate Finance Committee has completed the mark-up of their health care bill, the two Senate bills will be reconciled and brought the the floor for consideration.

Supporting Organizations

• AFL-CIO

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• American Federation of Teachers

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• Consumers Union

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• Families USA

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• AMVETS

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• Disabled American Veterans

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• Vietnam Veterans of America

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• National Association of Community Health Centers

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  I know that the organization National Association of Community Health Centers supports S.1679
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

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• American College of Physicians

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• American Osteopathic Association

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• American College of Surgeons

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• American Medical Association

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• International Association of Fire Fighters

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• American Psychiatric Association

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• American Public Health Association

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• Jewish War Veterans

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• American Counseling Association

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• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

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• Military Order of the Purple Heart

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• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

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• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

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• United Steelworkers

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• Service Employees International Union

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• United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

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• American College of Nurse-Midwives

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• American Academy of Nursing

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• Blinded Veterans Association

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• American Association of Retired Persons

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• UAW

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• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

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• Main Street Alliance

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• American Nurses Association

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Opposing Organizations

• National Association of Home Builders

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• American Petroleum Institute

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• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

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• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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• National Retail Federation

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• Eagle Forum

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• International Franchise Association

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• American Benefits Council

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• National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association

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• National Association of Manufacturers

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• International Dairy Foods Association

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• The Association of Leaders in Equipment Distribution

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• American Hotel and Lodging Association

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• National Association of Health Underwriters

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• National Grain and Feed Association

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• Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

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• American Bakers Association

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• Christian Coalition of America

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• Retail Industry Leaders Association

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• American Lighting Association

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• American Apparel and Footwear Association

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• National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association

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• Direct Marketing Association

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• Society of American Florists

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• Mason Contractors Association of America

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• National Roofing Contractors Association

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• American Society of Anesthesiologists

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• Congress of Neurological Surgeons

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• American Rental Association

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• Communication Workers of America

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• American Trucking Associations

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• ERISA Industry Committee

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• America's Health Insurance Plans

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• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council

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• American Association of Neurological Surgeons

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• Independent Electrical Contractors

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• Associated Builders and Contractors

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• The Heritage Foundation

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• Printing Industries of America

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• WellPoint Incorporated

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• Associated General Contractors

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• Associated Wire Rope Fabricators

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• National Franchisee Association

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• BlueCross BlueShield Association

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• National Right to Life

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• National Association of Convenience Stores

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• Brick Industry Association

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• National Federation of Independent Business

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• Business Roundtable

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

• S 1679 PCS (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "S 1679 PCS",
• ‘(C) who is actively employed; and (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "‘(C) who is actively employed; and",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On November 27, 2009, by BIGMOUTHMOM - The whole problem is it will REQUIRE you to have insurance. This is the first time that I can think of that the land of the free is being FORCED to purchase a product. Now call me crazy but has anyone stopped to see what this is doing for the insurance company profits?? If insurance is the bad guy according to the Administration and Congress then why are they rewarding them with more profit?? Just one observation of many that I have.

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  As noted by BIGMOUTHMOM, a user on OpenCongress.org, on November 27, 2009, "The whole problem is it will REQUIRE you to have insurance. This is the first time that I can think of that the land of the free is being FORCED to purchase a product. Now call me crazy but has anyone stopped to see what this is doing for the insurance company profits?? If insurance is the bad guy according to the Administration and Congress then why are they rewarding them with more profit?? Just one observation of many that I have."
• On December 08, 2009, by justamick - funny... back on HR3962, you claimed that this bill had questionable content... interesting.

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  As noted by justamick, a user on OpenCongress.org, on December 08, 2009, "funny... back on HR3962, you claimed that this bill had questionable content... interesting."
• On December 08, 2009, by justamick - That is a ludicrous argument. Car insurance is only mandatory for those who own vehicles. Meaning, you can not own a car and not have to have insurance. Your not forced to have walking insurance, to protect you while your walking some where, or bicycling insurance to protecting you while your riding a bicycle. Come on, that argument is like apples and oranges. They don't fit.

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  As noted by justamick, a user on OpenCongress.org, on December 08, 2009, "That is a ludicrous argument. Car insurance is only mandatory for those who own vehicles. Meaning, you can not own a car and not have to have insurance. Your not forced to have walking insurance, to protect you while your walking some where, or bicycling insurance to protecting you while your riding a bicycle. Come on, that argument is like apples and oranges. They don't fit."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• H.R.6497: DREAM Act of 2010 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress - December 05, 2010 by Open Congress : House Education and Labor... - Users tracking H.R.6497 (2) are also tracking: Bills, People. H.R.4321 Comprehensive Immigra... 1 · H.R.3590 Patient Protection an... 1 · S.1679 Affordable Health Cho... 1 · H.R.1868 Birthright Citizenshi. ...

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  As noted by Open Congress : House Education and Labor... on December 05, 2010, "Users tracking H.R.6497 (2) are also tracking: Bills, People. H.R.4321 Comprehensive Immigra... 1 · H.R.3590 Patient Protection an... 1 · S.1679 Affordable Health Cho... 1 · H.R.1868 Birthright Citizenshi. ..." (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h6497/show)
• Health Care: How did we get here? | sirkevinthomas.com - October 25, 2010 by sirkevinthomas.com - Ted Kennedy [MA]) passed out its own measure, S. 1679, while the Senate Finance Committee under Sen. Max Baucus produced S. 1796 in a painstakingly deliberate process. Baucus' efforts to attract bipartisan support and be the heroic ...

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  As noted by sirkevinthomas.com on October 25, 2010, "Ted Kennedy [MA]) passed out its own measure, S. 1679, while the Senate Finance Committee under Sen. Max Baucus produced S. 1796 in a painstakingly deliberate process. Baucus' efforts to attract bipartisan support and be the heroic ..." (http://sirkevinthomas.com/health-care-how-did-we-get-here/)
• Bill Action: Passed Senate: S. 1679: A bill to provide that the ... - September 15, 2010 by Active Legislation -- Tracked by govtrack.us - 14 Nov 2007

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  As noted by Active Legislation -- Tracked by govtrack.us on September 15, 2010, "14 Nov 2007 " (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1679)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Research and Markets: The U.S. Healthcare Reform: Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry - July 11, 2010 by Business Wire - ... Bills and Laws: H.R.3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act; H.R.3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009; S.1679, Affordable Health Choices Act; S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009; H.R.3590, Service Members Home Ownership

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  As noted by Business Wire on July 11, 2010, "... Bills and Laws: H.R.3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act; H.R.3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009; S.1679, Affordable Health Choices Act; S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009; H.R.3590, Service Members Home Ownership " (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100712005758/en)
• Research and Markets: The U.S. Healthcare Reform: Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry - July 11, 2010 by Trading Markets - ...Bills and Laws: H.R.3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act; H.R.3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009; S.1679, Affordable Health Choices Act; S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009; H.R.3590, Service Members Home Ownership Tax

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  As noted by Trading Markets on July 11, 2010, "...Bills and Laws: H.R.3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act; H.R.3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009; S.1679, Affordable Health Choices Act; S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009; H.R.3590, Service Members Home Ownership Tax " (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/press-release/ushcb_research-and-markets-the-u-s-healthcare-reform-impact-on-the-pharmaceutical-industry-1033839.html)
• Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program releases new analysis of Patient ... - March 21, 2010 by News-Medical.net - ... the Senate HELP Committee's Affordable Health Choices Act (S. 1679); and the Senate Finance Chairman's Mark of the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 ...

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  As noted by News-Medical.net on March 21, 2010, " ... the Senate HELP Committee's Affordable Health Choices Act (S. 1679); and the Senate Finance Chairman's Mark of the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 ... " (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100322/Hirsh-Health-Law-and-Policy-Program-releases-new-analysis-of-Patient-Protection-and-Affordable-Care-Act.aspx)