Health Reform in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee on Ways and Means Committee on Education and Labor

Fact of the Day The new House health insurance reform legislation, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, meets the commitments made by President Obama: it costs less than $900 billion, it reduces the deficits over the next ten years, it includes a public option, and it extends affordable health insurance to 36 million Americans.

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Health Resources Majority Leader Clearinghouse HealthReform.gov MedPAC Alliance for Health Reform National Health Policy Forum Kaiser Family Foundation Families USA Commonwealth Fund Robert Wood Johnson Foundation RAND Health Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Partnership for Prevention Trust for America’s Health Synthesis Project

At The Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $35,766,735,450 This Year In Additional Premium Costs To Cover Care For The Uninsured.

Under the Microscope

HOUSE DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE NEW REFORM BILL

Democratic Members of Congress and House Leadership introduced a new health insurance reform bill, H.R. 3962,  The Affordable Health Care for America Act, on the west steps of the Capitol this morning.  The new bill is the result of bill markups in three Committees, over 100 public hearings, and tremendous feedback from almost 3,000 events and discussions with constituents.

Read the President's statement on the House bill.

View today’s press conference and read updated materials on the House bill.

HOUSE TO ALSO CONSIDER NEW “DOC FIX” SOON

Also today the House introduced a permanent SGR fix for doctors and seniors: H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act.  Please note, the House will pass this legislation along with statutory PAYGO in keeping with a pledge made by Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer earlier this year.

PRESIDENT STAYS COMMITTED TO SMALL BUSINESS

Following on his weekly address last Saturday President Obama today delivered remarks to members of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and small business owners from across the country this morning on what health insurance reform will do for small businesses.  The White House also released a report: Lower Premiums, Stronger Businesses: How Health Insurance Reform Will Bring Down Costs for Small Businesses.   While small businesses are struggling to provide health care to their employees, new numbers for insurance company third quarter profits were up today with Aetna profit jumping 18 percent.

Health Care Headlines

Pelosi: New Health Care Bill Is 'Historic Moment'
After months of struggle, House Democrats rolled out sweeping legislation Thursday to extend health care coverage to millions who lack it and create a new option of government-run insurance. A vote is likely next week on the plan largely tailored to President Barack Obama's liking. [Associated Press, 10/29/2009]

House Health-Care Reform Bill Includes Public Option
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will unveil a health-care reform bill on Thursday that includes a government insurance option and a historic expansion of Medicaid, although sticking points in the legislation involving abortion and immigration remain unresolved. [The Washington Post, 10/29/2009]

Lawmakers Target Medicare And Medicaid Fraud
The federal government needs to further step up efforts to fight Medicare and Medicaid fraud to generate more savings to help pay for a health-care overhaul, lawmakers said Wednesday.
[Wall Street Journal, 10/28/2009]

Most Liberals Can Live With Compromises
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will unveil a bill Thursday that falls short of the liberal vision of a public option — and the liberals, so far and somewhat surprisingly, are going along with that. [Politico, 10/29/2009]

Polls and the Public Option
In recent weeks, polls kept showing solid support for a public insurance option, seeming to breathe new life into its viability as a provision of the health care legislation under way in Congress. [New York Times, 10/28/09]

‘Public Option’ Gets A Boost From Ex-UNH Exec
Lois Quam has been many things: a health insurance executive, a venture capitalist and, most recently, owner of her own strategic advisory firm.  Now add insurance industry critic. [St. Paul Tribune, 10/28/2009]

OPINION: Numbers, Not Shouting, Overwhelm Health Care Debate
By Rep. John Dingell, (D-MI), dean of the House of Representatives
We have the best medical professionals in the world, but fewer and fewer Americans can afford to pay for the care they can provide. The trends indicate that problem will get much worse. [Yahoo News, 10/29/2009]
Read an article on the Dean of the House.