House Passes Historic Health Care Reform Bill

U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted late Saturday to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, bringing significant reform to government and private health insurance programs since Medicare and Medicaid's creation in 1965. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 220 to 215, with President Teddy Roosevelt's goal of health care for all Americans closer to reality. The legislation includes important reforms for all Americans, insured and uninsured, young and old, addressing concerns raised by Stupak through his hearings as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Affordable Health Care for America Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 220 to 215, with a significant 220-215 margin.
• The bill includes reforms for all Americans, insured and uninsured, young and old, with key improvements to Medicare, such as additional prescription drug coverage and closing the "donut hole".
• Seniors on Medicare will have preventative care covered at 100 percent cost, making it the first time such coverage is included.
• The bill prohibits insurance companies from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, eliminates life-time caps on benefits, and prohibits the practice of rescission.
• Stupak's concerns over the quality and cost of health care were addressed by eliminating geographic disparities in Medicare reimbursement rates.
• The bill creates a public health insurance option and repeals the anti-trust exemption for the health care insurance industry, injecting competition into the health care industry.
• The Stupak Amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, maintaining existing law of prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for abortion.
• The bill is completely paid for, resulting in no increase in the federal deficit, and forces no one into a government health care program.

Statistics:

• 220 members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of H.R. 3962, with 215 voting against.
• The Affordable Health Care for America Act has significant reforms, including $130 billion for preventative care for seniors.
• The legislation includes $500 billion in savings from reducing waste and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid.
• $219 billion will be saved over 10 years by improving medical care and cutting spending on health care.
• H.R. 3962 will insure millions of Americans who currently lack health care.

Sources:

• "H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act" - H.R. 3962.
• "Stupak Statement on Passage of H.R. 3962" - Office of Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak.
• "House Passes Health Care Reform Bill" - CQ Politics.
• "Stupak Amendment Passes House" - The Hill.