November, 2009
 
Week of Nov 23
 
The Senate has submitted a bill which will be debated and likely amended during the next few weeks.
 
It includes the following:
 

   
       * Government option which allows individual States to opt  out.
   
    *  All Americans would be required to have coverage.
   
      * Government aid for middle income families to help pay for insurance
   
      * Prohibitions on the private insurance industry to set conditions of insurance such as pre-existing conditions, annual and lifetime benefit limits, higher premiums for people who are disabled, women, etc.

 
 
Week of Nov 9

The Senate may submit its bill in the next few weeks. Senate leadership will probably wait until they have 60 votes before asking for a vote.

Week of Nov 2

Health Care Passed in House(11/7)

The House passed its version of a universal health care insurance plan for most Americans. It includes the following:

  

    *       A requirement that all Americans are insured.
    *        A government option which will compete with private plans
    *       Federal monies for low and middle income people so they can access insurance.
    *       Private insurers will not be able to exclude people due to pre-existing conditions or to set life time limits on coverage.
    *       The Medicare donut hole will be eliminated
    *       Medicaid will cover more people.

  
  There will be 5.4 % tax on the Adjusted Gross Income of those individuals over  $500,000 and for joint payers over one million.

Next:


    *       The Senate will begin debate soon(perhaps as early as the next week or two) and vote later on its version of the bill.  
    *       A conference committee will negotiate the differences and develop a single bill. 
    *       Each house will vote on the same bill.  
    *       Then the president signs or vetoes it.
    * All this could take until the end of this year or the beginning of the new year.

 
 Nov 5, 2009
 
The house may have its debate on the Health Care Bill followed by a vote possibly as early as this week.
This version includes:



    *    A government option in all states
    *       Makes coverage more affordable for all Americans
    *       Covers more people than the Senate bill.(see also below)


ACTION STEP:
Contact your congressional representative to support and vote for this bill. It is important to have a strong majority.

October, 2009

Week of Oct 26

The Speaker introduced a proposal which combines the three House bills. It includes a government option and a tax on the nation's earners(those couples who earn over 1 million/year). A single bill may  be debated on the House floor in November.
 



The Senate Majority Leader introduced a proposal which combines the two Senate bills. It includes a government option. Individual States will have the choice of opting out if they do not want to have a government option in their State. The cost of this bill will be determined by the Congressional Budget Office.

Week of Oct 19

Last week the Senate Finance Comm approved a health care bill. It does not include a government option(see below Oct 5).

This week about 30 senators sent a letter to the Majority leader indicating their interest in a bill which includes a government option.


Week of Oct. 5


The Senate Finance Comm should complete its work this week or next. It will:

    * not include a government option
    *  will tax those with expensive health insurance plans.


Other plans do include a government option and will tax the wealthiest Americans.
When they are done the House and Senate versions are likely to differ in those and other ways.

However, there may be general agreement on the following:
 
* Most will continue to be covered by their employers.    Self employed people and those working for an employee who does not offer health insurance will be able to buy insurance through exchanges(which may or may not include a government option).  



* There are likely to be tax credits.

    * Private health insurers will have to cover everyone(regardless of pre-existing conditions) and may be limited what they can charge those who are old or sick.
    * Medicare may have to coordinate care for seniors - especially those with chronic conditions - in order to maintain people in the community and decrease or prevent hospital and nursing home care.
    * Medicaid will be expanded to cover more people including childless adults.


 Mental Health Services for Nursing Home Residents:

Clinical social workers cannot bill Medicare B directly for psychotherapy services when an individual is in a Medicare A bed.
Amendment D3 by Senator Blanche Lincoln(D - ARK. in health reform legislation would rectify this problem.
Please contact your federal senator to support Amendment D 3.