Home
News
In Focus
Business
Metro
Nation
World
Sports
Feature
Opinion
View more »Opinion Columns
Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
Restaurants get off to a quick start thanks to game-changing policies
High service charges on event ticket refunds call for further regulation
Sunday
- Subscribe
Related News
Democrat unveils health care plan
Source: Agencies |
September 17, 2009, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A KEY Democrat released the much-awaited Senate version of an American health-system remake - a landmark US$856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress for President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
The bill by Senator Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, would make major changes to the US$2.5 trillion health care system. It would require all Americans to purchase health care or pay a fine, and include language barring insurance firm practices like charging more to people with serious health problems.
Baucus' proposal has drawn no visible backing from opposition Republicans. But Baucus said he is holding out hope that some will support the plan when his committee votes on the bill, probably as early as next week.
Baucus' proposal has been eagerly anticipated because, of several bills being considered in Congress, it is seen as the only one that could get support from Republicans as well as Democrats. Obama had campaigned on a pledge of bipartisanship and has said he wants to reach a compromise with Republicans on a health care package. Liberal Democrats, though, doubt Republicans can be persuaded to support any agreement and want Obama to use his party's strong majorities in both chambers to push through legislation.
But it is not clear that he has the votes to do so. Democrats are now one vote shy of the 60 votes they need to block Republican efforts to derail the bill in the Senate. Also, with congressional elections approaching next year, some Democrats from conservative states are wary about supporting an overhaul that voters may see as too liberal.
That means Baucus' plan may offer Obama his best hope for getting health care legislation passed. The final version of the bill - if one gets passed - could be shaped more by Baucus' plan than by the proposals of any other lawmaker. "This is a unique moment in history where we can finally reach an objective so many of us have sought for so long," he said. "The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy."
Consumers would be able to shop for and compare insurance plans in a new purchasing exchange and caps would be placed on patients' yearly health care costs. The plan would be paid for with US$507 billion in cuts to government health programs and US$349 billion in new taxes and fees.
The bill fails to fulfill Obama's aim of creating a new government-run insurance plan - or option - to compete with the private market. It proposes instead a system of nonprofit member owned cooperatives, somewhat akin to electric co-ops that exist in many places around the US. That was one of many concessions meant to win over Republicans.
The bill by Senator Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, would make major changes to the US$2.5 trillion health care system. It would require all Americans to purchase health care or pay a fine, and include language barring insurance firm practices like charging more to people with serious health problems.
Baucus' proposal has drawn no visible backing from opposition Republicans. But Baucus said he is holding out hope that some will support the plan when his committee votes on the bill, probably as early as next week.
Baucus' proposal has been eagerly anticipated because, of several bills being considered in Congress, it is seen as the only one that could get support from Republicans as well as Democrats. Obama had campaigned on a pledge of bipartisanship and has said he wants to reach a compromise with Republicans on a health care package. Liberal Democrats, though, doubt Republicans can be persuaded to support any agreement and want Obama to use his party's strong majorities in both chambers to push through legislation.
But it is not clear that he has the votes to do so. Democrats are now one vote shy of the 60 votes they need to block Republican efforts to derail the bill in the Senate. Also, with congressional elections approaching next year, some Democrats from conservative states are wary about supporting an overhaul that voters may see as too liberal.
That means Baucus' plan may offer Obama his best hope for getting health care legislation passed. The final version of the bill - if one gets passed - could be shaped more by Baucus' plan than by the proposals of any other lawmaker. "This is a unique moment in history where we can finally reach an objective so many of us have sought for so long," he said. "The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy."
Consumers would be able to shop for and compare insurance plans in a new purchasing exchange and caps would be placed on patients' yearly health care costs. The plan would be paid for with US$507 billion in cuts to government health programs and US$349 billion in new taxes and fees.
The bill fails to fulfill Obama's aim of creating a new government-run insurance plan - or option - to compete with the private market. It proposes instead a system of nonprofit member owned cooperatives, somewhat akin to electric co-ops that exist in many places around the US. That was one of many concessions meant to win over Republicans.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
