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Health Care Reform
The debate over the sweeping health care reform proposal has been contentious, divisive and on occasion downright angry. The issue dominates the headlines and will likely define the mid-term congressional elections next year. This section provides links to the bill, the lawmakers and the groups and organizations that are weighing in on the issue. We also invite you to join the debate by adding your opinions.
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President Barack Obama’s Health Care Proposal Released Feb. 22, 2010
The Problem---------------------------------------------------------
According to government figures, total health care spending in the U.S. rose to $2.1 trillion or more than $7,000 per capital in 2006 and by 2016, total health spending is projected to double to $4.2 trillion.
A 2007 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation says that as a share of Gross Domestic Product, health care spending in the U.S. exceeds spending in any of the country’s European counterparts by several percentage points.
But the report says there’s no evidence that the U.S. is achieving substantially better health care benchmarks than other developed countries.
Experts generally agree that the spending must be controlled and that new efficiencies must be developed, but there’s substantial disagreement on how best to do that.
There’s also significant disagreement over not only what to do about the millions of Americans who do not have health insurance, but also over exactly how many really are uninsured.
The U.S. Census Bureau says nearly 46 million Americans or 18 percent of the population less than 65 years of age were uninsured in 2007.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that nearly 54 million Americans less than 65 were uninsured during the first half of 2007.
Critics, however, say those numbers are inflated.
There are other insurance issues as well, including portability and coverage of existing conditions.
The U.S. House of Representatives is debating a sweeping measure and the U.S. Senate is at work on a proposal of its own.
The Legislation------------------------------------------------------
HR 3590—Vehicle For The Senate Health Care Bill
Congressional Budget Office Cost Analysis
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Bill
The Lawmakers----------------------------------------------------
U.S. House Web Site
Rep. Chet Edwards’ House Web Site
Rep. John Carter’s House Web Site
Sen. John Cornyn’s Senate Web Site
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Senate Web Site
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Web Site
Information Resources---------------------------------------------
More Congressional Information From “Thomas”
Fact Sheet On Health Care Spending From U.S. Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services
National Health Expenditures, 1960-2007 From U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Health Expenditure Projections, 2008-2018 From The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Reporters Toolkit On Health Care Costs From The Alliance For Health Reform
The Political Debate-------------------------------------------------
Administration Health Care Reform Web Site
White House Healthcare Web Site
The View From Inside The Profession---------------------------
American Medical Association
What The Advocacy Groups Say---------------------------------
AARP
America’s Health Insurance Plans
Campaign For An American Health Solution
Conservatives For Patients’ Rights
Kaiser Family Foundation Side By Side Comparison
League Of Women Voters: What Is Driving The Rapid Rise In U.S. Health Care Costs?
National Coalition on Health Care
National Federation Of Independent Businesses
Texas Public Policy Foundation
