The Future Of American Health

The New University, Nov. 16, 2009

Last Monday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, also known as the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a hard-won victory for President Obama who has made it the top priority of his presidential agenda.

The bill only passed, however, after House Democrats made immense compromises with House Republicans over some of its policies, with one of the more provocative issues discussed being abortion.

The bill, now awaiting passage or dismissal by the Senate, restricts the use of government money to fund abortions, thanks in large part to lobbying by Catholic bishops.

In addition to this, the new passed bill varies from its predecessor, America’s Affordable Health Choices of 2009, in a few key areas: it prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage or charging more coverage for people based on medical histories or gender, second, it increases MediCare coverage for 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and third, it repeals the exemption of insurance companies from anti-trust laws.

It will also still include what has been the primary point of contention between Democrats and Republicans – the public option, or a federally funded and federally-run insurance provider…

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