Hey, if this passes maybe that 20% increase that Blue Cross gave me as a gift on my birthday this year might even be rescinded! LOL,
John
"They also expect it to include an expansion of Medicare to help cover people over 55 who often find it hard to obtain coverage when they lose their employer-sponsored insurance. Currently, only those 65 or older qualify for the Medicare health program for the elderly. (Editing by Todd Eastham)"
RPT-Kennedy plan to outline U.S. healthcare overhaul
Sun May 31, 2009 8:04am EDT Email | Print | Share| Reprints | Single Page[-] Text [+]
Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a health reform advocacy group, said that while changes were inevitable, Kennedy will "play an enormously effective role" in shaping a final bill that adheres as closely to his vision "as practical politics allows."
Obama has said he wants to sign legislation by the end of the year that aims to rein in soaring costs and expand coverage for the uninsured.
Kennedy chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, one of two Senate panels that have primary responsibility for crafting the final legislation.
The other, the Senate Finance Committee, is led by Senator Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat who is developing his own draft bill, which he hopes can win support from Democrats as well as Republicans leery of too great a government role in the new healthcare system.
GOVERNMENT ROLE CONTROVERSIAL How the two draft bills balance out remains to be seen. The two chairmen have told Obama they plan to develop complementary bills. The Finance Committee has sole jurisdiction over financing the overhaul and shares jurisdiction with Kennedy's committee on Medicare and other elements of the measure.
Kennedy spokesman Anthony Coley said health committee members will discuss the proposal in closed-door sessions next week. It it is unclear whether Kennedy, who was made only sporadic appearances in Washington since his cancer diagnosis last year, will lead those discussions.
Industry observers as well as healthcare advocates will be paying close attention to how exactly Kennedy sketches out his vision for government-provided insurance.
Republicans and private insurers argue Kennedy's plan would drive insurers out of business and lead to a complete government takeover of healthcare. Democrats argue it would inject much needed competition into the insurance market and help keep a lid on soaring insurance premiums.
Health industry sources said they also expect the Kennedy bill to expand the Medicaid health program for the poor to cover more low and moderate income people.
They also expect it to include an expansion of Medicare to help cover people over 55 who often find it hard to obtain coverage when they lose their employer-sponsored insurance. Currently, only those 65 or older qualify for the Medicare health program for the elderly. (Editing by Todd Eastham) |
