The Sandspur

Issue date: 3/19/10 Section: News

On March 12, the Senate Democratic leaders reached an agreement on President Obama's heath care bill. Essentially, this bill is designed to give health care to tens of millions of people who currently go without it. Additionally, it intends to ban insurance companies from denying medical coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions. Obama also has in mind the goal of lowering overall medical costs nationwide. Consequently, most people would be required to gain insurance by law, and Americans receiving low to middle incomes (including families of four earning up to $88,000), would receive subsidies.

This bill was seemingly close to passage in early January, until the Senate Republicans won a Senate seat in Massachusetts, granting them the necessary action to sustain a filibuster and prevent the final vote. Subsequently, White House Democrats have attempted a two-part rescue strategy. It entails the House to pass legislation that cleared the Senate in December, despite objections. Additionally, both houses are to follow immediately with a second bill, having made changes to the first.

Democrats would draft the second bill under rules that forbid Senate Republicans to require a 60-vote majority. Obama focused on requested changes several weeks ago that would satisfy many concerns of House Democrats. These would include increasing subsidies for lower income families who cannot afford insurance, giving additional money to states that provide higher-than-average benefit under Medicaid, and eventually decreasing a coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug program that is used by millions of senior citizens.

This agreement was enhanced by the new breakthrough of billions given for student aid. Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserted that neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option or a usual mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.

At the White House, officials worked to increase Obama's influence over lawmakers who control this legislation that has caused this yearlong struggle. Evidently, this delay provides congressional leaders with necessary room to complete legislation and gain support from wavering lawmakers.

A procedural vote in the House Budget Committee was set for March 15, but as of late Friday, lawmakers had yet to get the final analysis from the Congressional Budget Office necessary to move forward.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools