[July 20, 2009]
The House Education and Labor Committee on Friday voted 26-22 to approve the House health reform bill (HR 3200) after adopting 20 amendments, many of which sought to expand the scope of coverage and increase the number of U.S. residents eligible for purchasing coverage through a health insurance exchange, CQ Today reports. The panel voted 19-28 to reject two amendments offered by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) that would have precluded plans participating in the health insurance exchange -- including the proposed public insurance plan -- from covering abortion services. The committee agreed to allow some existing state and federal programs to obtain waivers from the bill's requirements.
Among the approved amendments was a 400-page amendment by committee Chair George Miller (D-Calif.) that would open the exchange to more small businesses, certain retirees, and families whose premiums and out-of-pocket costs total more than 11% of their income. The amendment was adopted by voice vote (Demirjian, CQ Today, 7/17).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
Search the Archives
Subscribe
Hot Topic
The greatest tribute we can pay Senator Kennedy is to redouble our efforts to see his vision for universal health care become reality.
So recommit yourself to one of the most important legislative challenges of our time.
Start by sharing your story!
Do you think we need health insurance reform, or is the status quo okay?
The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Laura Hessburg, associate editor & senior health policy advisor, National Partnership
Christine Monahan, assistant editor & health program assistant, National Partnership
Freya Riedlin, assistant editor & communications team, National Partnership
Francesca Tarant, assistant editor & communications team, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Brittany Hackett, senior writer
Cassandra Blohowiak, Audrey Horn, Julia Moss, Santosh Rao, Zach Swiss, Matt Wayt, staff writers
Tucker Ball, director of online marketing, National Partnership
