The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

November 10, 2009

House Health Care bill, votes, summary and cost estimate



Congressional Research Service summary of HR 3962





Congressional Budget Office cost estimate of HR 3962





Voting 220 for and 215 against, the House on Nov. 7 passed a bill (HR 3962) that would provide affordable medical coverage to about 36 million U.S. residents who are now uncovered while overhauling insurance-industry practices in ways that benefit sick as well as healthy policyholders. The bill, which awaits Senate action, seeks to extend coverage to about 96 percent of the population by 2017 while not adding to the national debt.



The bill expands Medicaid to cover an additional 15 million persons, requires employers with payrolls above $500,000 to provide insurance for their workers, and establishes an exchange for delivering coverage to individuals who do not receive insurance at work or through Medicaid or Medicare. The exchange, or marketplace, would offer private policies alongside a government-run "public option," and would provide subsidies to help low- and middle-income individuals obtain coverage. The public option, a Medicare-style plan in which the government would negotiate rates with doctors and hospitals, would serve an estimated six million persons.



Roughly half of the bill's projected net cost of $894 billion over ten years would be financed through measures that slow the growth rate of Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, the bill would raise about $460 billion through a 5.4 percent surtax on individuals with adjusted gross incomes over $500,000 and couples earning over $1 million. (Surtaxes are figured on taxes owed, not adjusted gross incomes.) The bill also would levy a 2.5 percent excise tax on medical devices, among other revenue-raisers.





A yes vote was to pass the bill.



Minnesota roll call vote

Tim Walz (D-1 ), Mankato: Yes

John Kline (R-2 ), Lakeville: No

Erik Paulsen (R-3 ), Eden Prarie: No.

Betty McCollum (D-4), St. Paul: Yes.

Keith Ellison (D-5 ), Minneapolis: Yes.

Michele Bachmann (R-6), Stillwater: No.

Collin Peterson (D-7 ), Detroit Lakes: No.

James Oberstar (D-8 ), Chisholm: Yes.



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