Why aren't Dems screaming about GOP(Enzi) bills destruction of health care

[papau]

LAT thinks the damn Enzi health insurance bill may have a "chance of passing," despite the possibility it could "trigger a race to the bottom as employers cut costs by replacing existing plans with bare-bones policies."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-insure10may10,1,6621784.story?coll=la-news-a_section


Senate Struggles to Reduce the Ranks of the Uninsured

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Times Staff Writer

May 10, 2006

WASHINGTON — One of the toughest parts of the health insurance problem in the United States is that many small business can't afford any coverage for their employees. Now, as part of a weeklong focus on healthcare, Senate Republican leaders have brought to the floor their chief solution, and it has a chance of passing.

The legislation would trim premiums for small businesses and, on balance, put an estimated 600,000 people on private coverage rolls, while also reducing the ranks of those with government-financed benefits. Similar bills have come up in the past, but this one appears to have better prospects of succeeding.

Yet critics warn that the bill would preempt state laws that spell out benefits insurers must provide and protect workers who are older and sicker from severe premium increases. The problem, they say, is that overriding the state requirements could trigger a race to the bottom as employers cut costs by replacing existing plans with bare-bones policies.

As a result, this week's struggle over the GOP plan embodies one of the central challenges of healthcare reform: how to improve the lot of the uninsured without eroding the benefits of those already covered.

California, for example, has 23 specific benefits that insurers must provide and another 14 benefits that must be offered, usually at additional cost. Some mandatory California benefits and services, including reconstructive surgery, osteoporosis treatment and acupuncture, could be placed in jeopardy if the Senate bill passes.<snip>

[sidwill]

1. We have been screaming about it on this board

for two weeks.

What I wanna know for anybody with C-span is what ishappening now on the floor with this bill.

[papau]

2. I agree we have -I have - but the leadership is doing a non-screaming oppo

I'd like to see more of the leadership being a bit immoderate in their opposition.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. There were several threads on DU .

I sent emails to my entire list, requesting everyone to call their Reps and Sens.

[depakid]

4. What do they ever scream about?

How many issues like this have they punted on over the past 12 years or so?

It's almost as if they want to remain in the minority.