There was an interesting piece by E. J. Dionne in the
Washington Post on Monday, “Democrats are ready to compromise to get health
reform done”.  E. J. Dionne was one of the speakers at the Families USA conference we attended in D.C. a year ago. I really liked him. He seems to know
as much as anyone about what is going on in the negotiations over the health
care bill. He indicates that the House progressives are demanding concessions
for giving up the public option. Dionne writes:

Over the past week, I've talked with key figures in the House, Senate and White House, and the outlines of a deal are becoming reasonably clear. The public option is, alas, dead. But the idea of setting up a national insurance exchange – alongside state exchanges – where the uninsured can buy coverage is very much alive. The House is demanding this as the price for giving up on the public plan, and a national exchange would provide for much more consumer-friendly regulation of health insurance policies.

(The Senate bill had state-based exchanges instead of a national exchange.)

Other places where the House bill may prevail, according to Dionne:

– Repeal of the health insurers' exemption from anti-trust laws.
– More generous subsidies to help people purchase insurance.
– Greater expansion of Medicaid.
– Requiring insurers to spend a greater portion of premium dollars on health care.

It seems like one of the most difficult issues to be resolved is the Senate’s tax on high cost insurance plans. One possibility is to raise the ceiling from $23,000 to $28,000 for families and a comparable increase for individuals ($8,500 is what is in the Senate bill now for individuals) before the plans would be taxed.

For an interesting perspective on the excise tax issue, check out this diary by mcjoan at Dailykos – “What if the Senate Was Subject to the Excise Tax?”  One of the big problems with the excise tax is it taxes plans based on the cost of the plan, not how generous the benefits are. So people in high cost-of-living states or plans with older workers might have their benefits taxed even if their plans aren’t really “Cadillacs.”

Another article you might find interesting comes from the Associated Press. A government study found that under the Senate bill health spending would increase by less than 1 percent more than it would have over the next ten years, even while extending coverage to an extra 34 million people. From the article:

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the report released Saturday shows the Senate bill would slow the rate of health care costs, strengthen Medicare and provide millions more people with insurance coverage.

Here’s hoping the House prevails!

Alta
Price is a physician practicing Pathology in Davenport, Iowa. One of
the original Deaniacs, she stays involved with Democracy for America,
Iowa, and the Quad Cities. She advocates for quality, affordable health
care for all, primarily as a volunteer with Progressive Action for the
Common Good (Health Care Reform Issue Forum).  Watch for Dr. Price's Health Care Reform Update every Tuesday here on Blog for Iowa.  E-Mail Alta Price