Sunday, November 8, 2009

HEALTH CARE BILL PASSED BY U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES...220-215

On Saturday, the United States House of Representatives passed the Health Care Bill by a narrow margin of 220-215.  39 Democrats sided with Republicans in opposition, and one Republican from Louisiana cast his vote with the majority of the Democrats.  The United States Senate is the last hurdle of this Health Care Bill. 

Here is a quick description of the bill and what it involves.  "The $1.3 trillion-dollar bill would require individuals to buy health insurance, and would also require medium and large businesses to provide it to their employees. Consumers would be able to buy their insurance on an exchange, which would include a public insurance option for people who do not have access to insurance through their jobs. Low- and middle-income families would receive government subsidies to purchase insurance, which would be be paid for through tax increases on individuals making more than $500,000 per year, as well as fees on medical providers. Finally, the bill would prohibit insurance companies from dropping or denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions or cost of care." http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/07/house-passes-historic-health-care-bill-long-road-ahead-for-ref/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsdaily.com%2F2009%2F11%2F07%2Fhouse-passes-historic-health-care-bill-long-road-ahead-for-ref%2F

I would like to hear from my readers about this issue.  I know it is a VERY CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT, because we have readers from all walks of life that visit.  This bill will affect everyone from the rich to the poor.  Many people who do not have insurance at the moment, because they cannot afford it, will be happy....and there are MANY who do not have insurance.  On the other hand, those who do have insurance, are very afraid of the unknown, concerning whether they will be able to keep their existing insurance company, or have to change to another.  Please keep your comments straight to the point, and do not call names or state hateful messages, or I won't be able to post your comments.  I try to keep my website on an even keel, and let all opinions be heard.  I will not, however, allow others to be hurt by unkind comments.  Remember the Golden Rule when you post.  "Do unto Others, as you would have them do unto You". 

8 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well--under this bill, WE (George and I) will lose our Medicare Advantage insurance. This is because the govt. has made deals with AARP --who loves to sell their own Medigap insurance (which is more expensive and not as good as the Advantage option).

We'll have to switch to a Medicare supplement which will cost us more and won't be nearly as good. Need I say more--but this WILL effect us personally.

Hugs,
Betsy

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Betsy, I hope that you and George won't have to lose your Medicare Advantage Insurance. I have been curious about AARP's insurance. Do you know much about it? I'd like to hear what others think about getting insurance through AARP. What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages. This can be a great discussion. Thanks for your post Betsy :) xoxo Love you.

Don said...

No doubt many "Progressives" are celebrating this vote, but their celebrations may be premature. I judge this vote to not be in the best interest of them, the Obama administration, and Democrats in general.....especially those in Congress.

This legislation is opposed, I believe, by a majority of American voters. If it is rammed down their throats with a later vote by the Senate and then both chambers of Congress and President Obama. those Americans will respond by voting against many members of both chambers of Congress who vote in favor of it, possibly to the extent of putting Republicans in control of Congress in the 2010 elections, and then by defeating Obama in 2012 and voting in a Republican as our next president.

Also, some provisions of any bill like this that is finally approved by both chambers will likely be challenged as being unconstitutional, and finally reach the US Supreme Court where one or more challenges may be upheld by SCOTUS and this whole episode will become a thing of the past.

If all of that takes place, then those Americans who still believe in constitutional government and who are feeling depressed today will have their spirits lifted.

XOXO, Deb

Bill S. said...

I teach government in high school and my students will be paying for this the rest of their lives. I wonder in the long run if it will help any of us. Anything the government gets into, there is a lot of waste, abuse and unknowns. The same goes for health care. The tax payers cannot take care of all of the people all of the time. It sounds cruel - but some of us will have to die sometime. I am twixt and tween about this one.

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Hey Bill..that's interesting. I believe that Betsy was a teacher at one time, as well, weren't you Betsy? It's very intriguing to see different points of view on this subject. I have a feeling we will be hearing from more readers as well.

Joe said...

I'm glad the bill was passed and here is why. It keeps things moving. Changes can still be made if and when and after the Senate passes a bill, and it heads to conference committee. They need to take out that stupid abortion amendment and just let things stand as they are, since federal funds are already prevented from funding abortion. They need to make some changes in the funding.

Much worse than passing this legislation is doing nothing. I know that is a talking point, and Clinton used it with the dems. But it is true.

Every day for me is hoping and praying my two adult children who have no health care insurance do not get sick. And I wonder how I will keep mine which went up about 36% this time. Thirty Six Per Cent!!! But I can't change plansbecause of a "pre-existing condition."

If this had not been passed then health care reform might have been declared dead. That would have been a tragedy.

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Don, thanks so much for that comment. It's interesting to see all of the different views from our readers. Thanks for visiting...I always appreciate you and your comments.

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Joe, you surely have made a great point. I, like you, know what it's like to worry about your children. We definitely need to have SOMETHING done for health care. The costs are rising, and the amount of ailments covered by insurance, are dropping. I hear horror stories all the time about people having existing illnesses and not being able to be covered. I hope something is done to protect the American people.