Bipartisan Health Care Reform Efforts Face Challenges and Criticisms

Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed concerns and reservations about the current health care reform proposals, citing issues such as the individual mandate, abortion funding, and illegal immigrants' coverage, during an interview with Fox News' Bill Hemmer on September 17, 2009. Grassley emphasized the need for a bipartisan agreement and expressed skepticism about the ability of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to accurately estimate the costs of reform proposals.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Grassley was absent from Senator Max Baucus' announcement of the health care reform bill on September 16, 2009, due to the lack of a complete agreement on key issues, including the individual mandate and abortion funding.
• Grassley stated that without a clear understanding of the "end game" for the reform bill, he and other Republicans could not commit to supporting the measure.
• Grassley expressed concerns about the individual mandate, which he believed could be achieved through reinsurance and risk pools rather than imposing a federal penalty on individuals without health insurance.
• He estimated that the penalty for not having health insurance could be in the neighborhood of $3,000 for a family of four.
• Grassley cited the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as a credible and impartial source that determines the cost-effectiveness of reform proposals, stating that the CBO has deemed the Baucus bill "paid for" and "affordable."
• Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) expressed skepticism about the likelihood of bipartisanship on health care reform, stating that it was "the political equivalent of a child looking for a unicorn."
• Grassley responded to Weiner's comments by stating that the congressman wants a Canadian-style health care program, which is a one-size-fits-all approach that he believes denies the American people choice and individual freedom.

Statistics:

• The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the health care reform bill proposed by Senator Baucus would be paid for and would not add to the deficit.
• The estimated penalty for not having health insurance was in the neighborhood of $3,000 for a family of four, according to Senator Grassley.
• The estimated penalty for not having health insurance could be between 15% to 18% of a family's overall income per year, according to an estimate cited by Bill Hemmer.

Sources:

• Transcript of Fox News Channel interview with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) conducted by Bill Hemmer on September 17, 2009.
• Congressional Budget Office estimates cited in the interview.
• Federal News Service transcript for September 17, 2009.