Now that the push for health care reform is moving fast and furiously, I thought it’d be helpful to have some quick daily or semi-daily updates on what’s happening on the Hill.
Health on the Hill will feature news links that should help you keep track of the reform debate and get to the meat of the issue. Enjoy!
Today’s Updates – 9/30/09:
Yesterday both amendments for a public option to be included in the Senate Finance Committee’s version of a health care reform bill were rejected. All Republican committee members and Democratic members such as Senators Conrad (North Dakota), Lincoln (Arkansas) and Baucus (Montana) voted against both pleas to offer a government-run public insurance option. Despite strong support for a public option from Americans, the White House, and the Senate HELP and three House committees that voted to include the public option in their versions of the bill, the Senate Finance Committee has failed to recognize the need for this key component in the health care reform debate. This does not mean, however, that the public option is dead. It can still be included when the bills are combined during conference. Meanwhile, young people are pushing to make their voices heard in this debate that will directly affect us, especially with the release of the ” Young Invincibles” plan – presented by Senator Baucus- which provides a crappy solution to lowering our costs.
Senators Reject Pair of Public Option Proposals
After an intense debate that captured the essence of the national struggle over health care, a pivotal Senate committee on Tuesday rejected two Democratic proposals to create a government insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
Public Option Fate in Obama’s Hands
President Barack Obama got an early look at the depth of the Democratic divide on the government insurance option Tuesday..Now, squabbling Democrats are looking to the president to be the final arbiter of whether they include the public option in the version of the bill that goes to the Senate floor — and later, whether it will emerge in compromise legislation from a House-Senate conference.
The policy decisions currently being made will have major consequences for young people. Much, for example, has been made these past few weeks about the public option, whether it should be in any final health care reform package (it should) and whether it has the political legs to make it across the finish line (it must). It matters because it will create an immediately affordable choice for the 80% of young people making less than $40,000 per year. The public option is young America’s coverage plan.