Health Insurance Articles

Senate Passes Health Care Bill That Will Push Health Care Reform Further

2010-01-01

As President Obama's health care reform bill languishes in the House, a possible new compromise is beginning to take shape in the Senate. Staunch opposition, such as that from independent Senator Joseph Lieberman, seems to have been stamped down after a series of meetings last week. Lieberman stated that he would kill any proposition that involved a public option, a sentiment shared by many republicans. This strong opposition has had democratic negotiating teams working around the clock trying to produce a viable alternative that everyone could agree on. The president himself supported the newly drafted potential arrangement, stating that "it's aimed at increasing choice and competition and lowering cost."

While the initial push by President Obama was to produce an entirely government-run system of health care, vehement opposition from Republicans and ordinary Americans at town hall meetings has forced a re-tooling of the original plan. Concerned about the government's level of involvement in health care and what type of restrictions it would entail, many conservatives are staunchly opposed. Conversely, liberals argue that the current system is bloated and out of date, leading to an environment in which private insurance companies can refuse coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and charge exorbitant premiums.

With the new deal put forth in the Senate, a public health insurance policy would exist only as a failsafe in the event that private health insurance companies failed to meet the minimum standards of care. In addition, the size of Medicare would increase to include the coverage of certain 55 to 64 year olds, giving it a much larger scope. And even on top of that, the federal government would be responsible for managing all private insurance companies, but providing no health insurance policies of its own, except in extreme circumstances. This would maintain the current system of health insurance provision, but theoretically include protection, provided by the government, from unscrupulous insurance practices.

There has already been opposition to even this compromise, including some coming from former presidential candidate Howard Dean, who is also a medical doctor. Dean stated on Good Morning America that he opposed the new potential deal because Americans "will be forced to buy insurance. If you don't, you'll pay a fine." He also stated stating that he believes "it's an insurance company bailout." Other Democrats, such as Anthony Weiner, have also spoken out against the compromise, stating that the Senate needs to come closer in line with the House. Because of the extreme need to retain cost, a pubic insurance option must be included. While progress on the bill is slow, there do appear to be glimmers of hope on the horizon for the President's health care reform.