Obama-backed health bill gains ground

[babylonsister]

Major quibble here is that this isn't the bill Obama necessarily backs; the final one he signs with the PO will be the one he backs imo, but things are looking up.


Obama-backed health bill gains ground

By DAVID ESPO
AP Special Correspondent


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama all but cleared a major hurdle in the Senate early Friday as Democratic liberals and moderates on a key committee closed ranks behind the most sweeping set of changes in a half-century.

Obama hailed the developments in the Senate Finance Committee as a milestone, and said in a written statement, "we are now closer than ever before to finally passing reform that will offer security to those who have coverage and affordable insurance to those who don't."

The legislation is designed to spread health insurance to millions who now lack it, and cracks down on industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

More than $400 billion in federal subsidies would help defray premium costs for lower-income families and help small businesses offer coverage to their workers. Most policies would be required to cover preventive care as well as treatment for medical illness and vision, dental and mental health needs.

It was past 2 a.m. in the East - and Obama's top health care adviser, Nancy-Ann DeParle in attendance - when Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the committee chairman, announced that work had been completed on all sections of the legislation.

"This bill will lower taxes for more than 42 million Americans and reduce the federal deficit," he said. "This bill will protect Medicare benefits for seniors. This bill will significantly expand health coverage."

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_CARE_OVERHAUL?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[WI_DEM]

1. Whatever passes half of DU will not be pleased--because of no universal coverage.

[Armstead]

2. How about at least not forcing people to buy insurance if there is no universal coverage?

Christ, I don't necessarily excpect the whole loaf right away.

But I'd rather not have the few crumbs being tossed being covered in feces.

If they are too cowardly and corrupt to pass a meaningful public option, at least don't make the situation worse for millions of Americans.

[freddie mertz]

3. "Obama hailed the developments in the Senate Finance Committee"

That is to say, the very "developments" that almost everyone here, even the most crave apologists, have scorned and derided as a disaster.

Is is OK to say that this really sicks now?

[MarjorieG]

4. Where does Obama back this particular plan? Instead of cheering legislation just advancing.

That's AP.