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Show T Health Reform Continued from page I 1 wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents, said Cao in a statement on his website. In total 176 Republicans were in opposition to the bill. All three congressional representatives from Utah, Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz and Jim Matheson, voted against the bill. Republicans were obviously disappointed by the vote and vowed to continue to fight against the bill. This government takeover has got a long way to go before it gets to the presidents desk, and Ill continue to fight it tooth and nail at every turn, said Rep. Kevin in a New York Times article. Health Brady, care is too important to get it wrong. Even though the bill has passed the House it must still reconcile with the Senate version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act still under deliberation, which means the discussion is far from over. as, t I WHATS IN THE HOUSE BILL? The House bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), is almost 2,000 pages in length. The bill would require for the first time that most Americans carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their . employees. Both consumers and companies would have to pay tax penalties if these mandates were not met. That mandate requires people to have health insurance unless they are below a certain income threshold ($9,350 for singles, $18,700 for couples in 2009), "said Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the House Joint Committee on Taxation in a written statement. Those who dont get coverage will be subject to a tax of 2.5 percent of their adjusted income beyond that threshold, up to the cost of the average national premium. Insurance company practices such as denying medical conditions coverage on the basis of would end. Insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history. Insurance companies will be required to justify and disclose premium hikes and wont be able to remove adult children from their parents family policies until they reach the age of 27. Further the industry would lose its exemption from federal antitrust restrictions on price fixing and market allocation. The measure would create marketplaces or exchanges that are regulated by the government, where consumers could shop for coverage. Basically the government would sell insurance, although the CBO predicts that premiums for it would be more costly than policies offered by private insurers. Our plan is not perfect, but it is a good start toward providing affordable health care to all Americans, said in a New York Times Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, article. pre-existi- D-Or- i Part of the issue have always said that I would put aside partisan ng e., THE STUPAK AMENDMENT The House bill prevents insurers from selling policies that cover abortion to anyone paying with a federal subsidy, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. The measure does allow a person to purchase optional abortion coverage with his or her own money. VOLUME XUI1: ISSUE 7 whether insurers would sell abortion in the coverage is new exchanges. Five states Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, North and Dakota Oklahoma allow currently insurers to sell addfor on coverage abortions, while it is prohibited in other states. In a recent press Laurie release, vice Rubiner, for president policy at Planned Parenthood, says she is optimistic that the measure will not pass in the Senate. This is a very broad, middle-cla- ss abortion ban in the exchange and once people understand really I that just dont think theres going to be the support for it. k Additional criticism has come 4 t from both members of the House and Senate. art If enacted, this U.S. D. meets in session the at Joint of Congress C, Sept. 9. Capitol Washington, amendment will be the greatest restriction of a womans right to choose to pass in our careers, said The path we are on is not sustainable. Rep. Diana DeGette, Without real reform, we will continue I am very worried about the public plan option that is included in both the House and Senate health to strain family budgets, threaten the in a reform bills, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, survival of small businesses and explode recent press release. The public option is, of course, our national deficits. a federal program, and therefore all of the money that it spends is federal funds. If the public option pays for Rep. Matheson abortions, then that is, without a doubt, federal funding of abortion. The U.S. Conference of Bishops, which led the threaten the survival of small businesses and explode lobbying fight in the House for the abortion amendment R-PBart and Joe Pitts, our national deficits. But a Stupak, by Reps. all, nationally-ru-n are just as determined to see the bill pass. plan that doesnt acknowledge the different health The Conference will remain vigilant and involved demographics in the states isnt the answer, said Rep. these this assure that entire to Matheson who process throughout represents Utahs 2nd Congressional essential provisions are maintained and included in the District. final legislation, the organizations president, Cardinal Rep. Bishop had similar sentiments and said, This Francis George of Chicago, said in a written statement. legislation will impose cuts to Medicare Advantage plans that will result in higher premiums and dropped coverage for more than 10 million seniors. The LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE formation of 111 new bureaucracies (government RESPONSE programs and agencies) will transfer the power from In recent press releases, all three of Utahs individuals to Washington bureaucrats and Americans congressional representatives voiced their concerns will no longer control their health care future. about why they voted no on the Affordable Health Representing Utahs 3rd Congressional District Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). The representatives Rep. Chaffetz took a direct approach and said, In order agree the public option plan is not right for Utah. to pay for the public option, the Democrats health care The path we are on is not sustainable. Without plan requires an individual mandate. This government-force- d real reform, we will continue to strain family budgets, insurance sets a dangerous precedent. It removes D-Co- lo. R-Uta- D-Mic- h., a., h., 8 one-size-f- its |