Pages

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

US Senate Finance Committee Rejects Public Health Care Option



Senate Finance Committee members, from left, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Maria Cantwell, 29 Sep 2009




The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has rejected the inclusion of a government-run insurance option in legislation aimed at reforming the nation's health care system.

After hours of debate, the committee Tuesday voted against amendments proposed by Democratic Senators Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Charles Schumer of New York to include a public option.

Supporters of the public plan say consumers need a low-cost alternative to private insurance companies. But the plan has encountered fierce opposition from members of the public and from conservative Republicans, who argue that such an option will force private insurers out of business.

Opponents also say the public option would lead to socialized health care in the United States.

The Finance Committee has been considering numerous amendments to a 10-year, $856-billion overhaul plan offered by Montana Democratic Senator Max Baucus, the committee chairman.

He introduced his proposal nearly two weeks ago, after spending several months unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a compromise between a handful of Democrats and Republicans.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, as well as three committees in the House of Representatives, have passed health care reform bills that include an optional government-run insurance plan.

President Barack Obama and Democrats have said they are determined to pass a reform bill before the end of the year.


Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-29-voa70.cfm
.
.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, Bloomberg and Reuters.

Related Stories

Liberal Democrats Could Complicate Obama's Agenda

Top Story
Obama, NATO Chief Agree on Afghanistan Strategy
More Stories
UN's Top Afghan Envoy Supports Call for More Troops
30 Afghan Civilians Killed in Roadside Bombing
Human Rights Group: Guinea Military Kills 157 in Crackdown
Iranian Lawmakers Warn West Ahead of Nuclear Talks
Suspected US Missile Strikes Kill 12 Militants in Pakistan
UN Report Calls for Investigation Into Alleged War Crimes in Gaza
US Senate Finance Committee Rejects Public Health Care Option
US Welcomes Iranian Gesture on Detained Americans
India Poised for Major Expansion of Nuclear Power
Death Toll in Philippines Continues to Climb from Tropical Storm Ketsana
Nigerian Rebel Group Appoints Mediators
International Community Needs to Prepare for Sudanese Civil War, Says Analyst
Gabon to Recount Presidential Votes
Zazi Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged US Terror Plot
Conservation Groups Say Forest Carbon Market Critical to Climate Change Solution
Intelligence Analyst Looks at Conflicts and Progress in Next 100 Years