Legislative News from National Federation of Republican Women
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) proudly announced the completion of the Senate Democrat's health care bill. This final bill combined the two bills that had been introduced previously by the Senate HELP Committee and Senate Finance Committee (Baucus bill). Read copies of the HELP Committee bill and the Finance Committee bill.
Despite promises to make the process of crafting health care legislation open and transparent, the bill is the result of closed meetings between the Senate Majority Leader, key Senate Democrats, and senior Obama Administration officials. Senate Democrats have repeatedly pledged to "go at it alone" in order to pass this legislation.
The final bill does includes the controversial public insurance option with a provision that allows states to opt out of participating. Although the final text has not yet been released, the bill is reported to fine employers (with more than 50 employees), who are not required to provide health insurance, up to $750 (per person) if any part of their work force receives government subsidies for health insurance.
The bill also expands coverage by giving low and middle class Americans subsidies to offset the cost of insurance and extends coverage of the Medicaid insurance program. It is difficult to understand how Democrats plan to fund this extension of coverage since existing Medicare and Medicaid entitlement programs are scheduled to be broke by the end of the next decade.
The bill was sent to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost estimate today. After the CBO has scored the bill, the bill will be introduced in the Senate for open debate and amendments.
Call your Senators TODAY to tell them this legislation is not the answer to our health care problems!
Watch a first hand account of what life is like in a country with socialized medicine!
Click here to watch Heather Sandstrom's story. Heather is the 3rd Vice President of the AzFRW and President of Mesa Republican Women in AZ. Share this story with your family and friends!
Make YOUR voice heard on health care reform! Every phone call, letter, email, fax, etc. counts!
CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY!
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