Health care legislation back behind closed doors (Stealth health - Baucus plan not on paper)

Daily Mail ^ | 10/14/09

[Libloather]

Health care legislation back behind closed doors
Senate leaders start trying to merge bills
by The Associated Press
Wednesday October 14, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Health care talks slip back behind closed doors Wednesday as Senate leaders start trying to merge two very different bills into a new version that can get the 60 votes needed to guarantee its passage.

All eyes are on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who has said he wants to complete the wedding quickly and get historic health care overhaul legislation onto the floor the week after next.

Both bills were written by Democrats, but that's not going to make it easier for Reid. They share a common goal, which is to provide all Americans with access to affordable health insurance, but they differ on how to accomplish it.

The Finance Committee bill that was approved Tuesday has no government-sponsored insurance plan and no requirement on employers that they must offer coverage. It relies instead on a requirement that all Americans obtain insurance.

[Libloather]

The Finance Committee bill is only a 'concept' - and they voted on it.

[Ev Reeman]

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/healthcare_bill_senate/2009/10/13/271589.html?s=al&promo_code=8BC4-1

[Ev Reeman]

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Lieberman_Baucus_Health/2009/10/13/271785.html?s=al&promo_code=8BC4-1

[listenhillary]

I was screaming this everywhere yesterday. (Sorry, sometimes you gotta)

[Ev Reeman]

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/McConnell_Snowe_Health/2009/10/13/271782.html?s=al&promo_code=8BC4-1

[Ev Reeman]

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/blaylock_healthcare_draft/2009/10/12/271348.html?s=al&promo_code=8BBA-1

[laxcoach]

I found this nugget in another article:


"The measures would bar insurance companies from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and for the first time limit their ability to charge higher premiums on the basis of age or family size."

In other words, insurance would be flat rates. 60 year old cancer patient would cost the same as a 20 year old track athlete.

Hey kids! Change you can believe in! Instead of paying $100 per month while your grandpa pays $800, you can both get to pay $450 per month. It's a great deal for grandpa.

[laxcoach]

One other thing: These dipsh-ts in congress have decided that insurance is no longer an ACTUARIAL pursuit. It is not a purely socialized shared cost service.

You have to wonder if they know what an actuary is, and how pricing works in the insurance industry.

[Buckeye McFrog]

when I was a kid I must have missed that Schoolhouse Rock episode about Virtual Bill...

[Buckeye McFrog]

I’m just a Bill
I’m a Virtual Bill
Behind closed doors on Capitol Hill

Where I just hang in the ether
For the public to hate
While a few key Congressmen
Lie and Obfuscate
Tryin’ to cram me thru to be a Law

Liberals hope and pray
that they will
But today
I’m a Virtual Bill

[syriacus]

2003: Republicans and two Democrats (Baucus and Breaux) sit behind closed doors to negotiate about the Medicare Prescription drug plan which affects elderly Americans.

2009: Democrats and no Republicans sit behind closed doors to negotiate about health care reform which affects every American.