Posted on 09/16/2009 10:44:53 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus came under new pressure Tuesday from Democrats concerned that his health bill could force some middle-income families to take on sizable new costs for health coverage.
The Montana Democrat said he will formally unveil the legislation on Wednesday. That would set the stage for Finance Committee action next week, and debate in the full Senate next month.
...
But even as Republicans remain unhappy with key aspects of the bill, liberal critics complain that it would force many lower- and middle-income workers to shoulder a greater financial burden when complying with the bill's mandate to buy insurance, by paring federal tax subsidies.
"This is not like shaving off things, this is reducing coverage for poor and working people," House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.) said Monday. Mr. Rangel is an architect of the $1 trillion House health-care bill, which provides more generous subsidies.
Some Senate Democrats are voicing similar concerns. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D., W.Va.) on Monday said there was "no way I can vote for the package" without changes. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) vowed to seek additional subsidies, or possibly a new tax break, aimed at helping working families, when the bill comes before committee. "Fundamentally, we're doing this for American families, and we need to make sure this is affordable," she said.
The Baucus bill would provide federal subsidies to individuals and families with incomes as high as 300% of the federal poverty line. For people whose incomes fall between 300% and 400% of the poverty line, the bill would cap premiums at 13% of income.
Critics complain the 13% cap is too high and would impose unreasonable costs on middle-income family budgets. But Finance Committee aides argue that tens of millions of Americans would still benefit
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
“’This is not like shaving off things, this is reducing coverage for poor and working people,’ House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.) said Monday.”
Reducing coverage that more or less exists in the magic bill which doesn’t exist and has no chance to pass anyway?
Baucus’ bill will not pass muster for the ‘Progressives’ in the Democrat party. They want healthcare to be a big giveaway for certain groups of people, namely the ‘reparations’ crowd. Obama does too, but just pays lip service to terms like ‘deficit neutral’ and ‘keep your own doctor.’
Baucus’ idea may be to throw a monkey wrench in this idea. I’ve wondered if he isn’t working for our side. If people see that they have to pay, they won’t want to do it. This will never fly.
There are millions of people that are for Universal Healthcare, the rub is that they want someone else to pay for it. That’s why there are even more people against it.
13% cap would cut my insurance bill almost in half, well, at least me and my employer combined.
oops, I did not see the part about the poverty line, where is that these days?
Any bill would cost all of us too much.
I agree with your analysis.
I’m worried that they will pay for expanded benefits with a huge tax increase on the “rich”. When people work less and revenue projections fall short, they will raise tax rates on the rich even higher and lower the threshold for “rich”.
How can they be worried their messiah leader has sworn this would not happen.
“I did not see the part about the poverty line, where is that these days?”
A 3-bedroom, 2-bath house with 2-car garage, 2 or three cars, flatscreen hdtv, computer, cable, various cell phones, restaurant dining every other day, etc.
one commentator said 38 % ...this bill tells me that they are just doing things to make it look they are working and is a real big waste of tax payer dollars....the ones on committee should give up their extra pay
Aint FREE healthcare a bitch?
The idea of allowing catastrophic-only coverage is the only good thing I can find in the bill.
health care cost bump—
“Democrats Worry (Baucus) Bill Will Cost Families Too Much (13% of income)”
Baucus Bill is RACIST and I can prove it. The whole Bill is designed to stoke hatred and fear of the black population. Do you think that sneaky Max Baucus pulled 13% of income out of thin air? 13% happens to be the percentage of the black population in America!!!!! Max is inciting hatred and RACISM! He could have used 10% or 15% but NO. He just happened to pick 13%. Sure. It is RACISM! Case closed.
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