March 22, 2010

House Approves Landmark Health Care Reform Bill

The House of Representatives approved on March 20 a bill that will overhaul the United States’ health care system and extend coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans, The New York Times reports. The legislation, approved on Christmas Eve, passed the House with a 219 to 212 vote.

According to the article, the bill would require most Americans to have health insurance and would add 16 million people to Medicaid while subsidizing private coverage for low- and middle-income people. The cost to the federal government will be $938 billion during 10 years. In addition, the bill would make it illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage or discontinue coverage based on preexisting conditions, such as HIV/AIDS. The bill also prohibits lifetime caps on how much health care a plan will cover during a person’s life, which is of great importance to people living with chronic illnesses.

Reuters reports that the health care reform bill, which includes about $455 billion in spending cuts for Medicare and other federal programs during the next decade, will improve the Medicare prescription drug program. The bill would close the Medicare “doughnut hole,” or coverage gap, by 2020, which would make prescription medications more affordable for senior citizens.

In addition, The Advocate reports, the bill prevents HIV-positive Medicare recipients who receive treatment through their state AIDS drug assistance program (ADAP) from being subject to other prescription drug costs.

Many employers would be required to offer coverage to employees; those that don’t would suffer a penalty. Each state would set up a marketplace where consumers without coverage could shop for plans meeting federal standards.

“We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests,” Obama said during a celebration of the House’s vote. “We didn’t give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things.”

“This isn’t radical reform,” he added, “but it is major reform.”

Obama intends to sign the bill into law on Tuesday, March 23, in a ceremony on the White House South Lawn.

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Previous Comments:

Paul, Cedar Falls, 2010-04-22 18:22:52
TC please try and I mean try to educate Yourself about HIV/AIDS. Blood Transfusions maybe less of a crapshoot but still are. John I had a job with insurance and got messed up at work. Had You met me 10 years ago I'd have cleaned the floor with You. Straight, Infantry, Meat Packer, Machinist, Road Construction Worker......How tough were You then?

Molly, , 2010-04-21 20:37:43
Are ADAP recipients permitted to own their own homes or are they automatically subject to liens & seizure of property by the powers that be?

TC, Orlando, 2010-04-12 15:23:55
HIV is a 100% preventable disease. Very few people get it through no fault of their own. Just like obese people, drinkers, smokers and drug addicts we did it to ourselves. My EMT friend says that over 80% of their ambulance runs are for people on Medicaid/care for non emergency calls. They abuse the system because they do not pay. We need the govt/employers out of the way so we can have choices in insurance and health care. Govt involvement only limits choice and reduces quality!

pinkadam, , 2010-03-29 12:21:10
To John DC What a nasty mother f%&*ker you are. People like you deserve slow and painful death for the comments you made. Its not a party to have HIV. People are scared as their future is unknown. No one wants to sit at home and looking for a charity. Most of the people either contributed to the society or still doing it. Nasty bigots like you are the ones who sit at home and complain.You dont even have right to live in human society. If you were in front of me i would probably spit on your fac

TdB, Atlanta, 2010-03-24 13:17:27
"In addition, The Advocate reports, the bill prevents HIV-positive Medicare recipients who receive treatment through their state AIDS drug assistance program (ADAP) from being subject to other prescription drug costs." Does this mean there's going to be a federal formulary rather than individual state formularies? What about incidental drugs like antidepressants, thyroid med, etc?

Mike, Saint Petersburg, 2010-03-24 09:30:48
Obviously John is a troll and unlike many here feel no reason to defend my situation out of guilt. Only a idiot would lack understanding of why these programs are here and what hardships face those trying to reenter the work force even in the best of economic times. Not to mention the very high cost of medical services for maintenance such as drugs, and lab work alone. lack of compassion shown by many that could easily join the ranks of the ill at anytime without a safety net is incredible.

Ted, Louisville, 2010-03-24 02:17:58
Thomas in Oakland, I think most people who don't work, don't work due to a physical illness or depression. I think it is a very small minority who are perfectly fine and don't work. People with depression are often seen as lazy. I've known people very depressed who didn't work. Others thought they were just lazy. They dismissed mental illnesses. I've noticed many of my repub friends say people without insurance are just lazy. Most of the 47 uninsured work--work 2 jobs.

Dean, Ibiza, 2010-03-23 20:31:53
I live in Europe. In Spain everyone is entitled to treatment, providing you pay your social security. In the UK you have to simply be resident. The system works well and nobody is discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions. HIV medication is free, other prescription are heavily subsidised. Health-care is an overall priority, and a healthy nation is a sure way to build a stable and prosperous economy. Obama is going to right way. Keep it up!

Thomas, Oakland, 2010-03-23 18:51:44
I know what John said was not nice by any means. But we have to see it from his stand point. I know many people living with HIV that are able to work, but yet chose to live off the state. In some ways I agree but yet there are those who need it I agree. I think those who can work SHOULD WORK.

Mike, , 2010-03-23 18:34:02
John -- I make a 6 figure salary, have great insurance, pay taxes through the arse, have saved for a rainy day, receive no direct gov't benefits (including ADAP, Ryan White, etc). I couldn't be happier that this reform passed. I'll happily pay more taxes to insure healthcare for all. Why? Beside not being selfish, I know that it could all change for me with one pink slip or serious medical complication. See someone about your anger -- it's unhealthy.

lutton, , 2010-03-23 15:40:43
John - all I can say is that you lack the fundamental quality (empathy) to live in social harmony with one another. Again, welfare works fine with PAY AS YOU GO scheme , that is to say, the one who is in there today must have paid for one who was in there yesterday. That is how it works so it is never free except for those who are below poverty thrashold. But those below poverty thrashold must live my anti-life John.

Sharon, Lake Forest,CA, 2010-03-23 15:23:40
Wow!How can people be so judgemental,I being stuck home wanting so bad a life, have worked but had to stop the meds took its toll on my body "I was raped in 1991 by a man w/Aids" as a Christian I had to forgive that man"! I lost my whole livelyhood,having a loving relationship w/a man because of this illness, I am on SSI I worked as a packer lifted 70lb boxes I made $9.50hr top wages in 1989 for being such a hard worker! I wish I could get my life back John U R A Jerk!

Shane, san francisco,CA, 2010-03-23 14:43:40
John... You are a sad excuse for a human being. Shame on you. I work my ass off and don't take a dime of social services, other than my ADAP-and last time I checked, I pay taxes like every other American. Your comments are disgraceful-as our most of the anti reform Republican teabaggers.

Wes, Las Vegas, NV, 2010-03-23 14:39:49
It's about time this passed in the US! FINALLY those who represent ALL the people stood up to do what is right, even helping those like DC John who are stupid, uninformed and bigoted. The added plus is thumbing the nose and middle finger at the Republican party, telling them "shut the hell up; your agenda is political and transparent", then doing the right thing without them. Welcome to the US John; maybe you would do better in Iran. From a guy who pays his own way, and probably some of yours.

Kenneth, Atlanta, 2010-03-23 14:27:35
I just dont understand why people would not want to help those people who less fortunate than themselves. Healthcare for everyone not just a few is such a noble thing to do.