The Reid Bill Unveiled Late Yesterday Afternoon

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As promised, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) unveiled the Senate's health care reform bill late yesterday afternoon, presenting it first to an impressed Democratic caucus, and then to the media. As far as the politics of the rollout are concerned, Reid has to be thrilled.

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid presented an $848 billion health-care overhaul package on Wednesday that would extend coverage to 31 million Americans and reform insurance practices while adding an array of tax increases, including a rise in payroll taxes for high earners.

Democratic leaders were jubilant.... The legislation received a positive response from across the Democratic spectrum. "This is the bill that we've been fighting for," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), a liberal who pressed Reid to revive the public option. Sen. Kent Conrad (N.D.), the budget chairman and a leading Democratic fiscal hawk, said after a briefing on the bill, "I was very impressed by what Senator Reid has done."

OK, so what's in it? Let's briefly review some of the key elements:

Cost and deficit reduction: The Senate bill carries a price tag of $848 billion over 10 years, well below the arbitrary White House limit of $900 billion and less than the House version. The CBO estimates that the legislation will cut the federal budget deficit by $130 billion in the first decade, and a hard-to-believe $650 billion in the second decade.

Timing of implementation: To make the bill more affordable, the effective date of the Senate reform package would be 2014, a year later than the House bill.

Financing: To pay for reform, Reid's plan would impose an excise tax on the so-called "Cadillac" plans (insurance packages worth more than $23,000). There would now also be a 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgery (which would exclude procedures on those with congenital abnormalities, disfiguring diseases, or traumatic injuries). Reid also proposes a 0.5% increase to the Medicare payroll tax for families earning more than $250,000.

Subsidies: Medicaid would be expanded to 133% of the poverty line, and subsidies would help those making up to 300% of the poverty line -- which is short of the 400% threshold that many progressive reform advocates had hoped for. Instead, Reid would impose regulations on insurers to cap expenses for those between 300% and 400% of the poverty line.

Coverage: The bill would extend coverage to 31 million uninsured Americans, bringing insurance to 94% of the population. About a third of those left out would be undocumented immigrants.

Public Option: As expected, Reid went with a national public-option plan, which states could pass laws to opt out of.

Abortion: Reid steered clear of the Stupak amendment language, but would separate abortions paid for through premiums and taxpayer subsidies. The provision is a little complicated, but to make a long story short, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) loves what Reid came up with, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is livid.

Mandates: There's an individual mandate, but the penalties are fairly weak. There is no formal employer mandate, but there are some modest fines imposed on larger employers who fail to cover their workers.

Anti-trust: Buckling to demands from Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), the Senate bill does not end anti-trust exemptions for the insurance industry.

For a caucus that's been at odds with itself for quite a while, Senate Dems left their meeting smiling. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said, "We're going to pass this legislation."

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) vowed, "It's going to be a holy war."

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) vowed, "It's going to be a holy war."

Republican Jihad?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) vowed, "It's going to be a holy war."

Republican Jihad?

Sure sounds that way.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)© describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

[scandal 951]

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan.

<snip more rambling diatribe>

This actually makes a lot of sense to me.

After spending the summer hoping their ugly protests at the town hall meetings would somehow shut down the health care debate and prevent a bill from being passed, the teabaggers are now realizing that this is actually, finally going to happen. We have bills in both the House and Senate, and are likely looking at a final piece of legislation ready for signature by the President shortly.

Since all their other tactics to halt it have failed, why not rely on the tried-and-true with a plea to the anti-abortion crowd? Simply taint the legislation as an abortion bill, and (so goes the theory) presto! Instant repudiation.

It's a reasonable ploy, at least as a Hail Mary pass when there's seconds left in the game and you're down by a TD on the 50 yard line.

Good luck RWNs, but I don't think you'll be stopping this one. Health care reform is coming to town.

[HAL 9000 96]

I hope that's the case, Scandal... So much time wasted on this thus far on mere obstructions for what the electorate wanted... it would be really silly to not get it passed.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)© describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

Joe, you are plagiarizing Boehner's blog. When copying and pasting Boehner's fiction onto this forum, you should quote your source.

I'll do this for you here:

http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=690

[Pooky 3,930]

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)© describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

Joe, you are plagiarizing Boehner's blog. When copying and pasting Boehner's fiction onto this forum, you should quote your source.

I'll do this for you here:

http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=690

Still think the merged bill won't get to 4,000 pages?

1990 + 2074 + 4064 !!!!

Just kiddin'

Edited November 20, 2009 by Pooky

[SMR 368]

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) vowed, "It's going to be a holy war."

Republican Jihad?

This is an interesting comment since both Hatch and Reid are Mormons.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

####### is up to his lying again...

House Minority Leader John Boehner's office has posted a long statement blasting the Senate health care plan, specifically targeting the abortion provisions with an accusation it levies an "abortion premium fee."

.....

We've asked senate officials for a response and will update when we hear back.

After the jump, the language from page 122 (and more) of the bill related to abortion. Read the bill in full here.

(2) PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL 8 FUNDS.-- 9 (A) IN GENERAL.--If a qualified health 10 plan provides coverage of services described in 11 paragraph (1)(B.)(i), the issuer of the plan shall 12 not use any amount attributable to any of the 13 following for purposes of paying for such serv- 14 ices: 15 (i) The credit under section 36B of 16 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and 17 the amount (if any) of the advance pay- 18 ment of the credit under section 1412 of 19 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care 20 Act). 21 (ii) Any cost-sharing reduction under 22 section 1402 of thePatient Protection and 23 Affordable Care Act (and the amount (if 24 any) of the advance payment of the reduc- 25 122 O:\BAI\BAI09M01.xml [file 1 of 9] S.L.C. tion under section 1412 of the Patient 1 Protection and Affordable Care Act). 2 (B.) SEGREGATIONOFFUNDS.--In the case 3 of a plan to which subparagraph (A) applies, 4 the issuer of the plan shall, out of amounts not 5 described in subparagraph (A), segregate an 6 amount equal to the actuarial amounts deter- 7 mined under subparagraph © for all enrollees 8 from the amounts described in subparagraph 9 (A). 10 © ACTUARIAL VALUE OF OPTIONAL 11 SERVICECOVERAGE.-- 12 (i) INGENERAL.--The Secretary shall 13 estimate the basic per enrollee, per month 14 cost, determined on an average actuarial 15 basis, for including coverage under a quali- 16 fied health plan of the services described in 17 paragraph (1)(B.)(i). 18 (ii) CONSIDERATIONS.--In making 19 such estimate, the Secretary-- 20 (I) may take into account the im- 21 pact on overall costs of the inclusion 22 of such coverage, but may not take 23 into account any cost reduction esti- 24 mated to result from such services, in- 25 123 O:\BAI\BAI09M01.xml [file 1 of 9] S.L.C. cluding prenatal care, delivery, or 1 postnatal care; 2 (II) shall estimate such costs as 3 if such coverage were included for the 4 entire population covered; and 5 (III) may not estimate such a 6 cost at less than $1 per enrollee, per 7 month. 8 (3) PROVIDERCONSCIENCEPROTECTIONS.--No 9 individual health care provider or health care facility 10 may be discriminated against because of a willing- 11 ness or an unwillingness, if doing so is contrary to 12 the religious or moral beliefs of the provider or facil- 13 ity, to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer 14 for abortions. 15 (b.) APPLICATIONOF STATE ANDFEDERAL LAWS 16 REGARDINGABORTION.-- 17 (1) NOPREEMPTIONOFSTATELAWSREGARD- 18 INGABORTION.--Nothing in this Act shall be con- 19 strued to preempt or otherwise have any effect on 20 State laws regarding the prohibition of (or require- 21 ment of) coverage, funding, or procedural require- 22 ments on abortions, including parental notification 23 or consent for the performance of an abortion on a 24 minor. 25 124 O:\BAI\BAI09M01.xml [file 1 of 9] S.L.C. (2) NOEFFECTONFEDERALLAWSREGARDING 1 ABORTION.-- 2 (A) IN GENERAL.--Nothing in this Act 3 shall be construed to have any effect on Federal 4 laws regarding-- 5 (i) conscience protection; 6 (ii) willingness or refusal to provide 7 abortion; and 8 (iii) discrimination on the basis of the 9 willingness or refusal to provide, pay for, 10 cover, or refer for abortion or to provide or 11 participate in training to provide abortion. 12 (3) NO EFFECT ON FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS 13 LAW.--Nothing in this subsection shall alter the 14 rights and obligations of employees and employers 15 under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 4 16

Late update: A Senate Democratic aide said Boehner's claim is false, and sends along some talking points and a study analyzing the results:

PPAC DOES NOT Allow Federal Funds to be Used for Abortion. Tax credits or cost sharing subsidies may not be used for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is endangered. Private premiums will be segregated from public funds, and only private premiums could pay for abortion services beyond those permitted by the Hyde, the longstanding federal law governing abortion. PPAC DOES NOT Require Health Plans to Cover Abortion. No health plan will be required to cover abortions in their benefits package. Just like in today's private insurance market, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will not force or prohibit health plans from covering abortion. And no one will be forced to enroll in a plan that covers abortion services - individuals will be able to choose from a variety of plans in the Exchange which will include both pro-choice and pro-life plans. In the current marketplace, there is no guarantee that a pro-life person can buy a policy that doesn't offer abortion coverage.

PPAC DOES NOT Allow Federal Funds to be used for Abortion in the Public Plan. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will NOT allow the Secretary to make the determination to include coverage of abortions unless it can be determined that NO FEDERAL FUNDS would be used for this purpose. The Secretary may only contemplate abortion coverage in the public plan if there is a guarantee that, consistent with the current policy under Hyde, these services may be covered entirely with private funds.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11...fee.php?ref=fpb

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) vowed, "It's going to be a holy war."

Republican Jihad?

This is an interesting comment since both Hatch and Reid are Mormons.

Only one of them is speaking of Jihad, though.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)© describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

Joe, you are plagiarizing Boehner's blog. When copying and pasting Boehner's fiction onto this forum, you should quote your source.

I'll do this for you here:

http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=690

Never claimed I wrote it. I'll post things as I see fit. Not to your guidelines.

[HAL 9000 96]

Oh Snap! Joe 1, Reinhard 0.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Oh Snap! Joe 0, Reinhard 1.

Fixed. Plagiarism doesn't earn points.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)© describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

Joe, you are plagiarizing Boehner's blog. When copying and pasting Boehner's fiction onto this forum, you should quote your source.

I'll do this for you here:

http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=690

Never claimed I wrote it. I'll post things as I see fit. Not to your guidelines.

Not my guidelines, Joe. Generally accepted principle when quoting someone else.