|
Senate Moves Closer to Resolution
The Senate has reached a major compromise on the issue of a Government Run Health Care Alternative to Private Industry, taking one more step toward passage of Health Care Legislation.
Senator Joe Lieberman, who had promised to block any legislation that included a "government option" seems satisfied with the language setting up a more limited proposal that would empower the government's Office of Personnel Management ( It already administers plans offered to federal employees and members of Congress) to put in place a plan that would be run by nonprofit entities set up by private insurance carriers and would be available to the public on the new insurance exchanges that would be created under the bill.
It seems now that any legislation emerging from the Senate will omit the kind of straight forward, immediately available public option originally envisioned by advocates, including President Obama. The compromise brokered by 10 Democrats (Five Liberals and Five Conservatives) makes it likely that a bill will be sent to the White House that includes a broader and more direct role for government in the health care market.
As a concession to liberal Democrats, language was included that would open Medicare to Americans ages 55 to 64. Doing so would cover an estimated two million to three million Americans of this age group who currently have difficulty obtaining coverage. People in the 55-to-64 group who already get health insurance through their employers would continue to do so under the proposal.
Opposing an expansion of Medicare is the American Medical Association because doctors face steep pay cuts under the program and many Medicare patients are struggling to find a doctor. Hospital spokesman also said expanding Medicare and Medicaid is a bad idea. Senator John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) said expanding Medicare "is putting more people in a boat that's already sinking." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) speaking for the Republicans criticized the Democratic negotiations. "What's becoming abundantly clear is that the majority will make any deal, agree to any terms, sign any dotted line that brings them closer to final passage of this terrible bill,"
Senator Lieberman was quoted as saying "These are trade-offs, not compromises".
Still facing the Senate is the issue of abortion payments. An amendment similar to the one added to the House bill restricting the use of government money to fund abortions was defeated in the Senate this week.
Senators from both parties who support "Right to Life" have said they will not vote for a bill if government money is used to fund abortions while those who support payments say they won't vote yes unless they are included. Beyond this difficult issue, both houses of Congress face the daunting task of resolving the differences between the already passed house bill and the Senate version should one pass.
It is important that we continue to express our concerns to our congressmen and make it clear that we expect them to remember that they are there as our voice on this critical issue.
| 
