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Senate and House Advance Health Care Proposals
On Oct. 26, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced that he would include a government-run public insurance option in a health care plan that was being sent to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to determine its long-term costs and whether it would be budget neutral.
The public option plan is based on the Senate Finance Committee's model of a “federal public exchange” in which states will be given the authority to “opt out” of participation.
It is expected that Senate Democratic leaders will make a number of changes to the bill once it returns from the CBO in order to gain the 60 votes necessary to defeat a filibuster and move to a floor debate.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who caucuses with the Democrats, has already committed to supporting a filibuster of the bill in its current form. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), the only Republican to have voted in favor of the health care reform bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee, has indicated she will not support legislation that includes a public option, leaving Republicans united in their opposition.
Additionally, several moderate Democrats have made no commitment to supporting the legislation.
It is anticipated that changes will be made on the public option and other areas before the measure clears the Senate.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Oct. 29 unveiled its health care legislation, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (AAHCA). The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will reduce the federal deficit over the next 10 years and will cover more than 96% of Americans at a cost of $1.055 trillion. It offers a public option, repeals anti-trust exemptions for insurers and contains a requirement for all individuals to carry health insurance.
The House could move on the legislation as early as this week.
NAHB continues to closely monitor the situation in both chambers. For more information on the House and Senate health plans, e-mail Carlos Gutierrez , or call him at 800-368-5242 x8242.
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