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The Senate healthcare bill HR 3590--
House/Senate differences in final bills
The House healthcare bill, HR 3962
The Public Option; General Points from the Speaker's Office
The goal of health care reform is to provide quality, affordable health care for every American while preserving what works in today’s system, expanding choice, and containing costs. The Affordable Health Care for America Act creates a public health insurance option that would compete on a level playing field with private insurers within the Health Insurance Exchange. Ten Changes Made by the Managers' Amendment to HR 3962
Healthcare and Public Policy
Public funding for healthcare in recent years began with the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Since 2008
President Obama campaigned on improving access to health insurance coverage for the estimated 44 million Americans uninsured. Soon after his election, like the Clinton administration, he convened stakeholders and bills began to take shape in the House and Senate. Illegal Alien Coverage
Taxpayers paying for illegals’ insurance was one trepidation raised in the pre-game show, the national shouting match over the legislation, as it was being developed and then reviewed and amended in the Senate Finance Committee.
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TheWeekInCongress.com is published on Thursday evenings. This supplement will be updated intermittently as action is taken on the healthcare bills
TheWeekinCongress.com - February 10, 2010 House passes repeal of antitrust exemption for insurance companies. The bill aims to increase competition causing lower premium prices. HR 4626 bill report and vote.
TheWeekinCongress.com - February 10, 2010 - Due to inclement weather Congress will remain adjourned until Monday, February 22nd. The House is expected to take up legislation addressing the anti-trust exemption status of health insurance companies.
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE VOTE MAY END HEALTHCARE BILL
TheWeekinCongress.com - January 29, 2010 - The Speaker of the House has announced that the House will attempt passage of healthcare reform legislation in separate bills. While there was no indication that the House or Senate bills as they stand will eventually be passed, some elements of either bill will be brought to the floor for debate.
The Speaker indicated that the first bill will address the anti-trust status that healthcare insurers currently enjoy.
TheWeekInCongress.com January 27, 2010 - Various news reports indicate the Democrats may offer a scaled-back version of a healthcare bill. Details have not been finalized. The Congressional Quarterly reported that House majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said the new bill may include a national exchange for those looking to shop for insurance and a repeal of the 'monopoly' insurance companies now enjoy.
TheWeekInCongress.com January 21, 2010 - News reports indicate that Democrats may discontinue the effort to pass healthcare legislation due to the loss of the Massachusetts' Senate seat to Republican Scott Brown.
HOUSE TO AMEND SENATE HEALTHCARE BILL
TheWeekInCongress.com January 7, 2010 - News reports conclude that the House is likely to make a simple amendment to the Senate healthcare bill with hopes of Senate approval and sending the bill to the President this month. Differences are to be ironed out in leadership meetings rather than the traditional conference committee used to produce a final bill for a vote first in the House and then for Senate approval. Some differences between the House and senate can be read here.
***** SENATE PASSES HEALTHCARE AMENDMENTS
Bill Sent to the House
TheWeekInCongress.com December 24, 2009 - In a vote of 60 to 39 the Senate agreed to amendments to HR 3590, the bill carrying the Senate substitute for HR 3962, the House-passed healthcare reform bill. The vote was on strict party lines with Senator Bunning (R-KY) not voting. The House will receive the legislation and is expected to act on it early in the second session of the 111th Congress convening on January 12, 2010.
The Senate amendments aim to replace the House bill (HR 3962) and consist of the Reid substitute amendment that replaces the House text, other amendments agreed to by the Senate, and the Reid Manager's amendment.
From here (and in the most likely order):
Conference reports over the past ten years have traditionally come to the floor of the House immediately without much time for consideration before a floor vote. While the issue remains politically hot, the process began to change in the beginning of the 110th Congress. The Majority has made all bills related to this healthcare reform effort available to the public 72 hours or more before either body acted on them. While Congress will be pressed to complete other legislation delayed to give time to healthcare reform and will soon begin crafting spending and authorizations bills for FY 2011 the legislative schedule should allow for at least 72 hours of consideration before any action on conference reports.
Healthcare reform legislation is essentially passed by Congress. Some elements of the legislation will go into effect immediately, others in 2011 and the lion's share of the bill would go into effect beginning in calendar year 2014.
It should be noted that many significant elements of the bill are left to the decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, a White House agency that will set standards for private insurers contracting with the government for interstate insurance plans. Interstate matters automatically open the door for federal government involvement. Other provisions in the bill such as whether or not abortion coverage is considered and the extent to which state residents qualify for subsidies will be left to the individual States.
TheWeekinCongress.com wishes all readers the very best during this holiday season and beyond.
****
TheWeekInCongress.com December 23, 2009 - The Senate agreed to the Reid Substitute Amendment to Hr 3590 by a vote of 60-39. the Senate agreed by unanimous consent to vote on passage of HR 3590 as amended at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2009.
On Wednesday the Senate voted on the following motions:
Ensign Constitutional Point of Order that the Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute) violates the enumerated amendment, powers contained in Article I and the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. The Point of Order was not well taken by a vote of 39-60.
Corker Point of Order against Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute) pursuant to section 425-A-2 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Baucus Motion to Waive the Budget Act. The Motion to Waive the Budget Act was agreed to by a vote of 55-44. The Point of Order fails.
Cornyn Point of Order that the Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute) violates the provisions of Senate Rule 44, Paragraph 4-A. The Chair ruled that there is no Point of Order under Rule 44, Paragraph 4-A. Cornyn Appealed the Ruling of the Chair. Baucus Motioned to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair that there is no Point of Order under Rule 44, Paragraph 4-A. Baucus Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair was agreed to by a vote 57-42.
Hutchison Constitutional Point of Order that the Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute) violates the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. The Point of Order was not well taken by a vote of 39-60.
DeMint Motion to Suspend the provisions of Rule 22, for the purpose of proposing DeMint amend #3297 (Ban the Practice of trading earmarks for votes). Baucus Motion to Table the Motion to Waive Rule 22 with respect to Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute). The Motion to Table the Motion to Waive Rule 22 was agreed to by a vote of 53-46.
Cardin amendment #2878 (To provide for the establishment of Offices of Minority Health). Withdrawn.
Motion to Invoke Cloture on H. R. 3590 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) as amended. Yeas and nays ordered. The Motion to Invoke Cloture was agreed to by a vote 60-39.
TheWeekInCongress.com December 22, 2009 - The Senate will convene at 7:00 AM and will immediately resume consideration of H.R. 3590. At approximately 7:20 AM, the Senate will proceed to a series of roll call votes.
Cloture on the Reid amend #2786 (In the nature of a substitute) was agreed to by a vote of 60-39.
The Senate will next vote on Reid amend #3276 (Manager’s Amendment).
TheWeekInCongress.com December 22, 2009 - The Senate is in 30 hours of post-cloture debate on the Reid Manager's Amendment (including time adjourned). The next vote is scheduled for 7 a.m. Tuesday, December 23rd.
*****
TheWeekInCongress.com December 20, 2009 - The Senate is expected to vote on cloture on the Reid Manager's amendment at 1:00 a.m., Monday December 21, 2009. The hour was chosen because it is in a new legislative day and the Senate is aiming to adjourn before Christmas. 60 votes will be necessary and the Senate rule may require an additional 30 hours of debate after cloture is invoked. The Manager's Amendment amends the Reid Substitute amendment that the Senate will send, if it passes, to the House. The full text of the Manager's Amendment can be read at http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/managers-amendment.pdf or a general summary of provisions can be read here. The CBO analysis of the Manger's Amendment begins in the right column, this page.
The Senate invoked cloture on the Reid Manager's Amendment in a vote of 60 to 40. The Senate is now in post-cloture debate on the Amendment. **** TheWeekInCongress.com December 19, 2009 -- The Senate will convene at 6:45 AM on Saturday, December 20, 2009 and will resume consideration of the House Message to Accompany H.R. 3326 (The Department of Defense Appropriations bill) and debate it until 7:20 AM. The Senate is then expected to have multiple votes with respect to the House Message. It is also expected that, upon conclusion of the consideration of the House Message, the Senate will resume consideration of H. R. 3590 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care act).
TheWeekInCongress.com December 18, 2009 - The Senate took no action on HR 3590 today. TheWeekInCongress.com December 17, 2009 - The Senate took no action on HR 3590 today. TheWeekInCongress.com December 16, 2009 - The Sanders amend #2837 (To provide for health care for every American and to control the cost and enhance the quality of the health care system). was withdrawn.
The Sanders Motion to Table the Hutchison Motion to Commit H.R. 3590 was agreed to by a vote of 56-41.
***** TheWeekInCongress.com December 15, 2009 -- Crapo Motion to Commit the Bill. The Motion to Commit was not agreed to by a vote of 45-54. 60 votes required. Under a previous order, the Motion was withdrawn.
Dorgan amend ##2793 (To provide for the importation of prescription drugs). The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 51-48. 60 votes required. Under a previous order, the amendment is withdrawn.
Lautenberg amend #3156 (To provide for the importation of prescription drugs). The amendment is not agreed to by a vote of 56-43. 60 votes required. Under a previous order, the amendment is withdrawn.
TheWeekInCongress.com December 15, 2009 - The Senate will convene at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 15 and will immediately resume consideration of H. R. 3590 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).
There will be a period of five hours of debate, during which time Senator Baucus will offer a side by side amendment to the Crapo Motion to Commit and Senator Lautenberg will offer amendment #3196.
At approximately 6:00 PM, there will be a series of four Roll Call Votes on the following amendments: Baucus side by side amendment to the Crapo Motion to Commit, Dorgan amend #2793 (To provide for the importation of prescription drugs) and Lautenberg amend #3196. The amendments and the Motion to Commit must reach a 60-vote threshold to pass. Upon disposition of the amendments and motions, Senator Hutchison will offer a Motion to Commit, and Senator Sanders will offer an amendment #2837.
****** TheWeekInCongress.com December 14, 2009 - The Senate took no action on HR 3590. TheWeekInCongress.com December 13, 2009 - The Senate took no action on HR 3590. TheWeekInCongress.com December 12, 2009 - The Senate will resume consideration of HR 3590 at 2 p.m. on Monday December 14th.
***** TheWeekInCongress.com December 11, 2009 -- The Senate took on action on HR 3590 today.
**** TheWeekInCongress.com December 10, 2009 -- The Senate took no action on HR 3590 today and will resume consideration of the bill on Friday at 10 a.m. The Senate is likely delaying further consideration until a CBO report is issued calculating the cost of proposed changes to the bill that would allow those aged 55 to 64 to enroll in Medicare. The Medicare increase has been offered as an alternative to the public health option. ***** TheWeekInCongress.com December 9, 2009 -- The Senate did not vote on amendments today and have no votes scheduled for this evening.
The New York Times and the Washington Post reported this morning that a 'broad' agreement has been struck regarding the public option provision in the Senate bill.
The NY Times reported that "people ages 55 to 64 could “buy in” to Medicare. And...the Office of Personnel Management, would negotiate with insurance companies to offer national health benefit plans, similar to those offered to federal employees, including members of Congress."
The Wash. Post reported "the government plan
...would be replaced with a program that would create several national
insurance policies administered by private companies but negotiated by the
Office of Personnel Management, which oversees health policies for federal
workers. If private firms were unable to deliver acceptable national
policies, a government plan would be created. "In addition, people as young as 55 would be permitted to buy into Medicare, the popular federal health program for retirees. And private insurance companies would face stringent new regulations, including a requirement that they spend at least 90 cents of every dollar they collect in premiums on medical services for their customers."
Extending enrollment in Medicare to people age 55 - 64 was originally proposed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) prior to the crafting of the Senate bill in committees but the provision was not included in the final bill now under debate. ***** TheWeekInCongress.com December 8, 2009 - The Senate did not agree with an amendment offered by Senators Nelson (D-Neb.) and Hatch (R-UT) that would prohibit federal funds from being spent for abortions. The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 54-45 to table the amendment.
The Senate did not agree to the McCain (R-AZ) motion to commit the bill to committee for changes. The motion was defeated 42 to 57. ****** TheWeekInCongress.com December 7, 2009 - The Senate agreed to the Pryor (D) amend #2939 (require the Secretary to provide information regarding enrollee satisfaction with qualified health plans offered through an Exchange through the Internet portal). The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 98 to 0.
The Senate did not agree to the Gregg (R) amend #2942 (prevent Medicare from being raided for new entitlements and to use Medicare savings to save Medicare). The amendment was not agreed to by a vote 43-56. The amendment was withdrawn.
********** TheWeekInCongress.com December 6, 2009 - The Senate will convene at 12:30 PM on Sunday, December 6, 2009 and will resume consideration of H.R. 3590. The Senate will proceed to a series of two roll call votes on Lincoln amend #2905 and Ensign amend #2927 at approximately 3:15 PM. Two additional roll call votes may follow.
The Senate did not agree to the Lincoln amend
#2905 (To modify the limit on excessive remuneration paid by certain
health insurance providers to set the limit at the same levels as the
salary of the President of the United States). The amendment was not
agreed to by a vote of
56-42. 60 votes were needed to pass. The amendment was withdrawn.
*******
TheWeekInCongress.com December 5, 2009 - The Senate resumed consideration of H. R. 3590 with 3 hours of debate on the Lincoln amend #2905 and the Johanns motion to commit the bill. The Lincoln amendment would modify the limit on excessive remuneration paid by certain health insurance providers to set the limit at the same levels as the salary of the President of the United States.
The Senate did not yet consider the Lincoln
amendment but agreed to the Kerry (D-MA) amendment #2926 (Protecting home
health benefits). The amendment was agreed to by a vote of
96-0.
Prior to today's session the Senate agreed to the Whitehouse amend #2870 (Promote fiscal responsibility by protecting the Social Security surplus and CLASS program savings in this Act). The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 98-0.
The Senate agreed to the Stabenow amend #2889 (Ensure that there is no reduction or elimination of any benefits guaranteed by law to participate in Medicare Advantage plans). The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 97-1.
The Senate did not agree to the Thune amend #2901 (Eliminate new entitlement programs and limit the government control over the health care of American families). The amendment as not agreed to by a vote of 51-47. The amendment was withdrawn.
******* TheWeekInCongress.com December 4, 2009 - Votes on amendments are expected today but none have been scheduled yet. First up will be the Hatch (R-UT) motion to recommit the bill to committee for changes. The motion is not an amendment but aims to " ...commit the ...bill to the Finance Committee in order to eliminate the Medicare Advantage cuts of $120 billion...". The motion was not agreed to by a vote of 41-57.
Other similar motions can be expected throughout the amendment process over the next week.
TheWeekInCongress.com December 3, 2009 - The Senate agreed to the Mikulski (D-MD) amendment SA 2791 (To clarify provisions relating to first dollar coverage for preventive services for women) 61 to 39. The Senate did not agree to the Mikulski amendment SA 2836 (To ensure patients receive doctor recommendations for preventive health services, including mammograms and cervical cancer screening, without interference from government or insurance company bureaucrats.) 41 to 59.
The Bennett (R-UT) amendment SA 2826 was agreed to 100 to 0 The amendment requires that changes made to the Social Security system by this bill shall extend the solvency of the Medicare trust funds, reduce Medicare premiums and other cost-sharing for beneficiaries, and improve or expand guaranteed Medicare benefits and protect access to Medicare providers.
The McCain (R-AZ) Motion to Commit H.R. 3590 to the Committee on Finance with Instructions was defeated 42 to 58. The motion would send the bill back to committee for changes. Such motions are rarely agreed to.
On December 1st the Senate agreed by voice vote with the Vitter (R-LA) amendment SA 2808 that the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Service Task Force regarding breast cancer screening, mammography, and prevention shall be considered the most current other than those issued in or around November 2009. The amendment aims to ensure that there is no legal force and effect to the recent recommendations issued by the U.S. preventive service task force with regard to breast cancer screening.
Details of the amendments can be located by amendment number (example - SA 1234) here.
SENATE BEGINS DEBATE ON HR 3590
TheWeekInCongress.com November 30, 2009 -The Senate will convene at 2:00 PM on Monday November 30. At 3:00 PM, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 3590 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Senator Reid will offer an amendment to the Reid Substitute amendment #2786. Senator McConnell will offer the second amendment, with no further amendments in order during Monday's Session. There will be no Roll Call Votes during the Monday, November 30th Session.
SENATE AGREES TO PROCEED BY A 60 TO 39 VOTE
TheWeekInCongress.com November 21, 2009-The Motion to Invoke Cloture was agreed to by a vote of 60-39. Under a previous unanimous consent, all post-cloture time was yielded back, the Motion to Proceed was agreed to, and the Senate proceeded to the bill.
Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) propose his amendment #2786 (In Nature of a Substitute). The amendment is the Senate version of the bill and will, if agreed to, be attached to HR 3590, 'a bill To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes'. HR 3590 will be the vehicle for the Senate bill.
The Senate will convene at 2:00 PM on Monday November 30 and will be in a period of morning business for one hour. At 3:00 PM, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 3590. Senator Reid will offer an amendment to the Reid Substitute amendment #2786. Senator McConnell will offer the second amendment, with no further amendments in order during Monday's Session. There will be no Roll Call Votes during the Monday, November 30th Session.
DEMOCRATS CLAIM VOTES TO SUPPORT CLOTURE
TheWeekInCongress.com November 21, 2009 -- The Washington Post reported that Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) have agreed to vote for closure on HR 3962 giving the Majority the expectation that it will have sufficient support to move the bill forward.
The 60 votes expected this evening will be to limit debate and bring the bill to the floor for a vote on passage. The 60 vote threshold assures Democrats that Republicans will not be able to filibuster the bill, but procedural challenges can still occur further delaying the final vote.
Senator have commented on the bill since 11 a.m. with the cloture vote expected around 8 p.m. tonight.
The bill is open to amendments and debate to a vote on passage is expected after the Thanksgiving recess.
TheWeekInCongress.com November 19, 2009 -- HR 3962 (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) was read on Tuesday, November 17th and further reading was objected to.
The Senate gave unanimous consent to debate the motion to proceed on Friday, November 20th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. and on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The debates will be followed by a vote on the Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the bill.
Majority Leader Reid also received unanimous consent that if cloture is invoked, the Motion to Proceed to H. R. 3590 will be agreed to and Sen. Reid will be recognized to offer an amendment to the bill.
CBO comments on the cost of the Senate amendments
HOUSE PASSES HR 3962
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 7, 2009 - 11:15 p.m. - The House voted 220 to 215 to pass HR 3962 as amended. All Republicans voted against the bill joined by 38 Democrats.
The Boehner substitute amendment failed 187 to 247.
The Stupak amendment passed 240 to 194. The amendment prohibits federal funds for abortion but does not rule out that insurers can offer that coverage separately to be paid out of pocket by the beneficiary.
HOUSE CONTINUES DEBATE
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 7, 2009 -- 7:10 p.m. --- The House agreed to the rule governing debate of HR 3962, the healthcare reform bill.
The rule, HRES 903, provides for four hours of debate, equally divided between the parties, but more time will be taken to debate amendments to the bill. Among the amendments to be debated will be the Republican substitute. That amendment will be debated for one hour if it is offered.
The manager's amendment includes a variety of changes to the underlying bill including allowing the Secretary to work with states that have alternative programs to state high risk pools as a part of the new temporary insurance program, and provides that if the premiums of a retiree increase by an excessive amount on or before the bill’s introduction date (October 29, 2009), then the retiree is eligible for the high-risk pool. More manager's amendment details here.
Other amendments agreed to are included in the bill.
With passage of the bill two other bills will be attached and included as passed. One bill is HR 3961 that amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the Medicare SGR payment system for physicians. The bill would identify categories of services offered and then applies conversion factors and other mechanisms aimed to keep payment increases within targeted growth rates.
The other bill included with passage is HR 2920, passed by the House in July 2009 but was not considered on the Senate floor. Under the bill, deficit producing spending or tax cuts must be offset over the course of five to ten years. Some programs will receive immediate exemption. They are Medicare payments to physicians, the Alternative Minimum tax, any extension of child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, and reduction in income tax rates for taxpayers with incomes below $250,000. The current estate tax and tax rate is also exempt.
HOUSE BEGINS HEALTHCARE DEBATE
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 7, 2009 -- 10:17 a.m. -- The day begins with party press conferences and a visit from the President.
Republican Leader John Boehner will hold a meeting with GOP leaders at 11: 45 a.m. a.m. Republicans will meet for a GOP healthcare rally at 1:00 p.m.
Democrats will hear from the President in a closed meeting at 12 p.m.
The House will vote on 9 resolutions of recognition today as well as HR 3962. Final vote on the bill is expected later this evening or Sunday after which the House will adjourn for a week.
CBO SCORES MANAGER'S AMENDMENT TO HR 3962
Debate Begins Saturday, 9 a.m.
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 6, 2009 - The Congressional Budget Office reported its cost estimate of changes made to the underlying healthcare legislation by the manager's amendment offered by House Speaker Pelosi. CBO concludes that the changes made by the amendment would result in a net reduction of the deficit of $129 billion over ten years.
CBO calculates that the 'gross total' cost of
the bill would be $1,052 billion and that amount "would be more than
CBO predicts that by 2019 the number of non-elderly individuals who are not insured would be reduced by 36 million.
CBO stated it has not yet calculated the discretionary funds needed by federal agencies managing the new program. Major spending would be expected for the IRS to implement the eligibility screening, documentation, and verification processes for subsidies. "Those costs would probably be between $5 billion and $10 billion over 10 years."
Health and Human Services could need $5 to 10 billion over ten years to implement changes to changes in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP and for reforms to the private insurance market, the report explained.
The Public Health Investment Fund and Prevention and Wellness Trust would also be subject to future appropriation action, the report said. The bill would authorize appropriations totaling about $34 billion for those purposes.
Floor action The vote on passage of HR 3962, planned for 6 p.m. Saturday may occur later in the evening or on Sunday, November 9th according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Rep. Hoyer said he expects delays due to procedural votes from Republicans.
The House will begin debating the rule governing debate of the bill and, with passage will take up the bill itself. The bill needs 218 voters to pass and will then be sent to the Senate.
DEBATE RULE TO CONTAIN ABORTION PROVISIONS
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 5, 2009 - The House will vote on HR 3962, the healthcare reform bill, on Saturday, November 7th at 6 p.m.. The process of bringing the bill to the floor involved a last minute bill change that would prohibit allowing federal government funds in any plan to be used for abortions. Policies that would not pay for abortions, considered pro-life, would be open for participation. The inclusion of the abortion language was required by moderate democrats who refused to vote for the bill unless the language was included. The group was headed by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)
The House will first vote on the rule governing debate and the rule will include the abortion language that will be included in the bill if the rule is agreed to.
Extensive amendments are expected. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed a Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution.
Further amendments may be offered only in the order printed in the report, "may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment".
The House, to consider the rule, will become a committee called the Committee of the Whole House, a procedure that accommodates presenting, debating, and voting on amendments similar to the process a bill goes through in committee before being sent to the floor. After the Committee of the Whole completes it business the Committee rises becoming simply the House again and votes to accept the rule (or bill) as amended. The Committee may rise only if offered by the chair of the Committee on Financial Services or his designee.
HR 3962 bill report. HR 3962 amendments.
CBO SCORES REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE
TheWeekInCongress.com - November 5, 2009 - A CBO report on the Republican substitute, that, as an amendment would replace the text of HR 3962, estimated the alternative would reduce the federal deficit by $68 billion over ten years.
The report explained that the reduction was a net reduction reflecting "a gross cost of $61 billion that is partly offset by about $52 billion in additional revenues associated with the coverage provisions. Over the same period, the other provisions of the amendment would reduce direct spending by $49 billion and increase tax revenues by $27 billion." The estimate reflects a projected net cost of $8 billion over 10 years for the provisions directly related to insurance coverage, the report said.
The revenue produced by the amendment would come from several sources. Medical malpractice tort reform that would cap non-economic and punitive awards in court cases would reduce insurance premiums "and indirectly by slightly reducing the utilization of health care services." The Provision "would reduce spending on mandatory programs by about $41 billion and would increase revenues by $13 billion as an indirect effect of reducing the costs of private health insurance plans. Some workers compensation, however would be shifted from nontaxable health insurance benefits to taxable ones.
Saving of $6 billion in Medicaid would be met by
updating standards for electronic administrative transactions that
enable electronic funds transfers, claims management processes, and
verification of eligibility would be expected to increase revenues by "$13
billion
An abbreviated process to approve biological products that are highly similar to or interchangeable with brand-name products would reduce direct spending by $5 billion and countering waste fraud and abuse is expected to save $3 billion over the next ten years.
The bill would not cover significantly more uninsured Americans, however, as CBO explained; "By 2019, CBO and JCT estimate, the number of nonelderly people without health insurance would be reduced by about 3 million relative to current law, leaving about 52 million nonelderly residents uninsured. The share of legal nonelderly residents with insurance coverage in 2019 would be about 83 percent, roughly in line with the current share. CBO and JCT estimate that enacting the amendment’s insurance coverage provisions would increase deficits by $8 billion over the 2010–2019 period."
The amendment would reduce insurance premium from 10% on about 15% of existing policies to about 3% on 80% of existing policies, but CBO noted premiums would likely increase on less healthy policy holders.
The complete report can be read at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10705/hr3962
All Rights Reserved. © 2009 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM) No reproduction, language translation or distribution of all website content without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)
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What CBO says The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a nonpartisan arm of Congress that reports to Members on the cost of legislation. CBO also works closely with the Joint Committee on Taxation, a House/Senate committee that, too, analyses the cost of legislation and the impact on the tax code. CBO analysis of Manager’s Amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActCBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have released an analysis of the budgetary effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Senate Amendment 2786 in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3590 (as printed in the Congressional Record on November 19, 2009), incorporating the effects of changes proposed in the manager’s amendment released earlier today. CBO analysis of health insurance premiums under the Senate bill (Reid substitute)
This morning CBO released an analysis of how health insurance premiums might be affected by enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as proposed by Senator Reid on November 18, 2009. The marketplace for health insurance is complex and many-faceted, and the impact of a proposal on premiums cannot be readily summarized in one or two numbers. The analysis, which was prepared in conjunction with the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), looks separately at the average effects on premiums in 2016...
CBO Comments on the Senate amendment to House Bill HR 3962
(The) CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) issued an estimate of the budgetary effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act proposed by Senator Reid. Among other things,
CBO Comments on the House bill, HR 3962
CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have just issued a preliminary analysis of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, as introduced on October 29, 2009. Among other things, H.R. 3962 would establish a mandate for most legal residents of the United States to obtain health insurance; set up insurance “exchanges” through which certain individuals and families could receive federal subsidies to substantially reduce the cost of purchasing that coverage; significantly expand eligibility for Medicaid; substantially reduce the growth of Medicare’s payment rates for most services (relative to the growth rates projected under current law); impose an income tax surcharge on high-income individuals; and make various other changes to the federal tax code, Medicaid, Medicare, and other programs.
CBO Comments on the Senate Chairman's Bill as Amended by the Senate Finance Committee
CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have just issued a preliminary analysis of the Senate Finance Committee Chairman’s mark for the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, incorporating the amendments that have been adopted to date by the committee. That analysis reflects the specifications posted on the committee’s Web site on October 2, 2009, corrections posted on October 5, and additional clarifications provided by the staff of the committee through October 6. CBO and JCT’s analysis is preliminary in large part because the Chairman’s mark, as amended, has not yet been embodied in legislative language. CBO comments on the Republican bill offered as an amendment to HR 3962 Health Care for America ActThis evening, CBO released a preliminary analysis of a substitute amendment to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, proposed by Representative John Boehner, the Republican Leader in the House of Representatives. CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that the amendment would reduce federal deficits by $68 billion over the 2010-2019 period; it would also slightly reduce federal budget deficits in the following decade, relative to those projected under current law, with a total effect during that decade that is in a broad range between zero and one-quarter percent of gross domestic product.
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