Healthcare Reform Collection of Congressional Actions

[important]The list of publications below first appeared on GraniteRG.com website during the debate Healthcare Reform. Content from that website has been moved to this blog to in an effort to increase efficiency through consolidation. These papers provide a historical context for positions taken during the debates.[/important]

SUMMARY

Initially, I support President Obama’s efforts to reform healthcare in our nation. My position changed after Obama’s direction evolved into legislation that heavily-favored the very industry he claimed to be reeling-in from excess profit and practices that did not serve the public’s interest. Click on the images for reports. Also click on items to the right for other related Healthcare Reform pages.

 

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Increased Spending Relative to Medicare Fee-for Service May Not Always Reduce Beneficiary Out-of-Pocket Costs. This US Government Accountability Office [GAO] report provides an in-depth analysis of the value and impact of Medicare Advantage, an alternative approach for beneficiaries to receive insurances – Part A (Hospital), Part B (Medical), Part C (Comprehensive Dental) – through government subsidized private insurance companies.

Report Dated: February 2008

 

 

America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (House Version). The US House of Representatives released its 1018-pages initial version of healthcare reform as H.R. 3200. On July 31, 2009, the Committee on Energy and Commerce approved H.R. 3200 as amended by a 31-28 vote. The Ways and Means Committee approved it by a 23-18 vote. And Education and Labor Committee approved it by a 26-22 vote. H.R. 3200 featured a Health Insurance Exchange and Public Option. This version of the legislation was defeated in a full vote of the House.

Bill Introduced: July 14, 2009.

 

 

America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (House Version) Section-by-Section Analysis. The Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor released this section-by-section summary of the US House of Representative’s emerging Bill on comprehensive healthcare reform.

Report Dated: July 14, 2009

 

 

 

Affordable Health Choices Act (Senate Version). On July 15, 2009, The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) approved S.1679 by a 13-10 vote. This version featured a Health Insurance Exchange and Public Option. However, this version did not pass in the Senate.

Bill Introduced: Sept 17, 2009

 

 

 

Senate Health Care Bill – List of Amendments. This table lists the 180 amendments to the Baucus health care bill before the Senate Finance Committee.

Report Dated: Sept 19, 2009

 

Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962). The House introduced its subsequent version. This version reconciled and revised the three House committees of jurisdiction bills, maintaining the Public Option, expanding Medicaid to some 15 million people by including individuals at 150% of the federal poverty level (similar to the Senate HELP Committee version), and closing the Medicare part D “donut hole.” The version contained the Stupak/Pitts amendment, which bans all coverage of abortion in insurance plans offered within Health Insurance Exchanges. This version passed in The House on November 7, 2009, by a margin of 220-215 votes.

Bill Introduced: October 29, 2009

 

 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [PPACA]. On December 21, 2009, The Senate closed debate on healthcare reform legislation. This paved the way for subsequent passage of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Senate bill – H.R. 3590) and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872). H.R. 3590 passed on December 24, 2009 (60–39) with amendment.

 

 

 

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Public Law official versions of healthcare reform legislation are referenced separately in this series.

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Health Insurance Co-Ops: More Form Than Reform >>Big Six Health Insurance Company Profits 2006-2008 >>