Health Care Bills Compared

Here is a link to a simplified comparison to the two versions of the health care reform bill. It picks 15 topics and does a side-by-side of key elements. While not enough for a thorough understanding, it provides a good list to get you started about what is on the table, or not. Some examples:

- both bills have a penalty for people who do not buy coverage, though both have some exemptions. Most people will be required to buy or be penalized.
- Both bills still force or provide incentive employers to provide this benefit, though the Senate version makes more sense to me.
- the House version still has a "public option" to negotiate rates and provide start-up funds. Premiums would be required to cover benefits (no government subsidy other than theoretically lower premiums from negotiated rates). The Senate bill would instead have a government office sign contracts with insurers to offer at least two national health plans to individuals, families and small businesses. The new plans would be separate from the program for federal employees, and premiums would be calculated separately. At least one of the plans would have to operate on a nonprofit basis. I wonder how that will work?
- both bills offer some subsidy for families making less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($88,200 for a family of four). The details are not specified here. Since this will affect me directly, I am curious about this. More later!
- both plans expand Medicaid to cover the poorest Americans. Details vary.
- the House version thoroughly stigmatizes, and refuses to cover, abortions. The Senate version applies some restrictions but is considerably less harsh.
- Illegal immigrants could buy coverage, without subsidy, in the House version but would be prevented from buying coverage from the plans created under the Senate bill. Presumably they could still buy insurance directly from a provider at the providers discretion.

So there are a few highlights to get you a bit more informed. As always, I encourage you to pursue this on your own to get your questions answered.