10.30.09 | Mary Vanac

House Democrats unveil health care reform: Congress poised for debate — MedCity News Morning Read, Oct. 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Democrats on Thursday unveiled their health care reform bill and said they have the votes to pass it, according to the New York Times. But Republicans said gimmicks were used to cover up the bill’s long-term cost.

The House bill is similar in size and scope to one taking shape in the Senate, the New York Times said. However, Democrats have less of a hold in the Senate, so the passage of the Senate bill is less certain.

With the introduction of the House bill, both houses of Congress now are poised for a momentous debate on the legislation, which would guarantee health benefits for millions of Americans who are uninsured, the Times said.

“We are about to deliver on the promise of making affordable, quality health care available for all Americans,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at an outdoor rally on the west side of the Capitol, according to the Times.

The Congressional Budget Office said the House bill would provide coverage to 36 million people. The bill would cost $1.05 trillion over 10 years, roughly $150 billion more than President Obama had said he wanted to spend on the legislation. So Democrats on Thursday focused attention on a lower figure — $894 billion net cost of the insurance coverage provisions.

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