National Write Your Congressman sent a Action Alert on Health Care Reform ...

Action Alert from nwyc

Health Care Overhaul Legislation


Democratic leaders in the House promoted legislation this week designed to remake the nation's health-care system. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) posted a preliminary $940 billion cost estimate for the bill.

As President Obama again delayed a planned trip to Asia, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) remarked, “This is historical. He wants to be here for the history.” Hill watchers say the President stayed home to help push through the legislation.

When: The House is scheduled to vote Sunday, March 21, on the final package, with floor action to follow in the Senate as early as next week.

Highlights of the Legislation

• Coverage: The 10-year plan would provide coverage to 32 million people now uninsured through a combination of tax credits for middle class households and an expansion of the Medicaid program for low income people.


• Employer responsibility: Would alter the transition to the employer policy for employers with 50 or more full-time workers by subtracting the first 30 full time employees from the payment calculation.


• Medicare cuts: Would Call for hospitals to operate more efficiently or risk going out of business, but seniors could see the coverage gap in their prescription benefits gradually eliminated.


• Insurance companies: Would face unprecedented federal regulation. Health care industries would be hit with new federal taxes. Upper-income households would face a new tax on investment earnings.


• High-cost plan excise tax: Would reduce the revenue collected by the tax by 80 percent and delay the application of the tax until 2018. It would also increase the dollar thresholds.

Democratic Voice: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters, "The best initiative we can take to improve jobs, strengthen our economic security, is to pass health care reform. We will make progress by passing this legislation."

Republican Voice: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said after leaving a meeting on the House floor, “Our plan is for it not to come to the Senate. Our plan is for it to be defeated here in the House in the next few days.”

Where lawmakers stand now: Click here to get the latest update on where lawmakers stand: http://www.spesend.net/SpeClicks.aspx?X=2R0QE581HVAP9ZY404SWWQ

Who’s in play: House health-care vote - Washington Post
How members voted on health-care legislation Nov. 7, where they stand now and who is still undecided ...

Should Congress pass Health Care overhaul legislation (H.R. 4872)?

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Representative David Loebsack (D-IA 2nd)

Personally, we are opposed to both these House and Senate bills.