Health Reform Clears First of Four Hurdles

It’s still way too early for the victory dance…. But after a long and contentious debate, health reform made it through the first of four hurdles with the House voting 220 to 215 in favor. It’s a momentous occasion, but the process is far from over. The Senate has to pass their version, and then both the House and the Senate have to pass the merged version before it goes to the President.

Democrats had to concede to Theocrats to allow a deplorable amendment that outlaws any funding for abortions for any person who buys insurance through the exchange- even if the government is not funding it. On principle it stinks, but the better good may end up be served by this concession- - even if further melding of church and state is the collateral damage in return for landmark legislation. It stinks, but that’s how sausage gets made in Washington.

One Republican voted for the bill- Joe Cao from New Orleans. Thanks Joe. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against their party- proving once again that getting alignment with Democrats is like herding cats. The rest of the Republicans voted “no”, in keeping with the party’s policy to oppose any legislation where the interests of the people may trump big business. They also had another opportunity to vote no by  voting unanimously for the amendment to ban all abortion funding for insurance (public and private) in the exchange pool. They only seem to vote yes when they're banning something for the people.

A Republican Congressman from Texas (I don’t recall who it was, nor do I particularly care) even had the gall to argue that states should have the responsibility to provide insurance to their citizens- not big government- this laughable oratory came from the state that has the highest uninsured population in the country.

The bill is not what progressives wanted, but it’s not that bad either. Here’s what we get from the House bill:

· 36 million Americans will now have health insurance and health care
· Children will be able to stay on the parents insurance plan until age 27
· A government public option will be available in the exchange pool
· The donut hole in Medicare drug benefits is closed
· More choices will be available to people- some states are limited to one or two insurance companies today
· Insurance companies cannot deny you coverage with pre-existing conditions (this includes pregnant women)
· Insurance companies cannot drop you if you get sick
· Insurance companies will come under stricter anti-trust regulation to prevent price fixing

Now on to the Senate!