Senate Democrats are modifying healthcare bill to limit impact on working poor

[steven johnson]

Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee with a 13-10 majority are working toward health care legislation that limits the impact on working-class families. Senate Finance Committee is crafting legislation which would bar insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, include federal subsidies to make insurance available to millions who lack it and slow the growth in health care costs nationwide.

Along the way they are trying to avoid the political traps that may make the voters punish Democrats at the ballot box. They are increasing subsidies and decreasing penalties for non-participation.

(AP) – 48 minutes ago
...Senate Democrats coalesced behind two of their own that could alter the legislation in significant ways.

One, backed by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would allow states to negotiate with insurers to arrange coverage for people with incomes slightly higher than the cutoff for Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor. That change was approved.

A second, still pending, would exempt millions from a requirement to purchase insurance that is currently in the bill. As it stands, individuals and families would be required to buy coverage as long as it cost no more than 10 percent of their income, and would have to pay a penalty if they refused.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., proposed lowering the threshold for requiring coverage to 8 percent of income, a level that he acknowledged would result in an estimated 2 million additional individuals and families staying uninsured in comparison with the original bill.

For those still covered by the requirement, Schumer also proposed reducing the penalty for failure to comply.



Dems ease impact of health bill, big advance nears