Life Insurance Quotes Blog News: The Health Bill’s In The Emergency Room

With the Health Reform Bill fighting for its life, two options seem to be left towards Obama’s health care reform bill in the aftermath of the loss of Massachusetts to Republicans.

The People Still Want Health Insurance

As Democrats try to reconsolidate their health care legislation, legislators in Congress are refocusing first on the most popular ideas, from expanding patients’ rights to making insurance coverage popularly more affordable.

“We have to step back, take a deep breath and realize that … these bills as they stand now are dead,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, among the Democrats pushing for a more incremental approach.

President Obama’s health care legislation has two options visible: keep on track with expanded health coverage to 30 million Americans, or moving to a bill that might win bipartisan support.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Jan 21, 2010 Thursday ruled out one route that had been considered: passing the Senate’s measure via the House. But too many Democrats oppose provisions in the Senate’s 10-year, $871 billion bill.

“In its present form, without any changes, I don’t think it’s possible to pass the Senate bill,” said Pelosi. “I don’t see the votes for it.”

A Common Goal?

Health care, Obama’s flagship domestic priority, has been on shaky ground since Republican Scott Brown won Jan 19, 2010 Tuesday’s Senate special election in Massachusetts. Brown’s election would give Republicans the 41 votes they need to block a final Senate vote on the health care bill.

There’s still some light at the end of the tunnel, though. Throughout the past year 2009, some provisions of the bill have received bipartisan support, such as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions and from refusing to pay claims after their enrollees become sick. Both parties broadly backed the idea of providing subsidies to help families afford premiums.

The Health Insurance Industry Needs Some Assurances

Currently, Democrats are focusing on those measures, which polls show have wide public support. But its cautionary that trying to pass only popular provisions of the bill comes with some risk. As with new insurance regulations, the industry has said Congress must offset those rules with a requirement that everyone buy a health care plan. Otherwise, premiums will need to increase to cover the cost of coverage.

Republicans claimed they would be willing to find common ground with Democrats if given the opportunity. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Democratic meetings in the past makes it highly unlikely though.

“There was absolutely no indication whatsoever that the Democratic majority had gotten the message,” he said of the special election. “They were … negotiating with themselves.”

More Power To Us,

Erwin Chua

Consumer Advocate

Life Insurance Quotes For Consumers

“Insurance is Personal.”
Source: Lexis Nexis