Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
With one surprise vote from a Republican, Pres. Obama got a boost today in his fight to get health insurance for more Americans.
Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe became the first GOP lawmaker to support one of the Democratic health care plans in a Senate Finance Committee vote of 14-9. 13 Democrats backed the plan and Snowe was the crucial 14th vote to get the so-called Baucus plan approved.
"I think it's critical to move this bill along and see how far we can go and it's going to be a step by step journey", said Snowe.
The plan's price tag of $829 billion over 10 years is less than the $900 billion target set by Pres. Obama. It requires that all Americans have health insurance. Plus, insurance companies can't deny claims due to a preexisting condition. It's also the only bill without the government-funded public option. Instead the plan calls for a non-federal health care co-op.
We'll have the raw politics of the vote and let you know what this vote means for health care reform.
In the meantime, what do you think of the plan? Sound off below.
Also tonight, we're looking at whether the state of Texas put an innocent man to death and did the Governor try to cover it up? We're keeping them honest. Randi Kaye has uncovered a stunning new fact about what happened in the final moments of the execution that could have changed everything.
In Florida we're covering the intentional burning of a 15 year old boy. Police say the teen was attacked by five boys who go to his school after he told police one of them stole his father's bicycle. Investigators say when the boy was burned one of the five juveniles in custody yelled several times "He's a snitch." Police also say some of the suspects were laughing when questioned about the incident.
Tonight we'll give you an up close look at the paparazzi. California's governor has signed a bill to crack down on them. Is it justified? We'll have all the angles.
Join us for these stories and more starting at 10pm ET. See you then!
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The bill will not have "teeth" unless the public option is included. The private insurance companies have the secret handshake when it comes to pricing and co-pays. Think of it like this, without a public option, the healthcare industry is a monopoly.
Why can't all Americans pay what the congress pays for their health insurance? It's easy for thes people to not want to help the American people get a better deal on health insurance when they have the best at $40.00 per month. We, the taxpayers are paying for their health care. They have the best for the least out of pocket. It is no wonder they dont want to vote on a better deal for seniors and other Americans.
There's no doubt that heath care reform is needed ASAP...I know what ever is past isn't going to really solve the real issues. Like How much money is just flushed down the toilet.Your going to have to control what someone charges for a band aid, etc ,etc..Does a 5 minute office call at the Doctors office call for a $200.00 dollar bill. Just to tell you your blood tests came out OK. When a phone call could of done the same thing. There's thousands of excess charges in health care that are just crazy.I'm just thinking of the billions that could be saved in that area alone.
When the Obama's and all of congress let it be known that they will also use President Obama's health care reform along with the rest of the American civilian population then I may start to believe that it is a good idea. When they won't use the same health care reform they are going to make us use, well that doesn't say much for their ideas.
great, this is the begining of the many changes that the president will make.
Republicans HAVE to decide which is more important?
PEOPLE or PROFIT for the insurance companies
This is a step forward to what we all voted for in November last year. The changes will keep Insurance companies in check, not jacking up premiums as they please. Mid-term elections will be a referendum. Be informed, don't let scare tactics control your emotions.
I want to see the bill in its final form before I say anything about it. I am not surprised that Snow voted in favor, though I am disappointed the bill has no public option. I think anything else can be too easily manipulated into something no American wants.
I'm from Massachusetts, a state that does have a public health care option and requires all residents to be insured or face tax penalties. I've seen no indication that private insurers make less profit or feel they have to lower their premiums. All the public option does is offer a minimum standard of health care for those who cannot afford it. I'm still trying to figure out why a small number of Americans think this is such a horrible thing.
Bloody Ridiculous!
The plan requires that I have to buy health insurance?
...I'm disabled and can't afford it (last quote was over $400 month for a non-comprehensive plan). Neither do I qualify for medicare, since I've been too sick to work and earn the Social Security credits.
What are they going to do – fine me? I can't pay what I don't have.
Amen, Barb.
The problem begins with greedy for-profit insurance companies. Continues with ridiculously priced pharmaceuticals (thanks to unrestrained and largely unnecessary media advertising – not to mention the millions spent to court our nation's physicians). Continues further with out-of-control malpractice insurance premiums imposed upon physicians.
The coup de grace to me is the fundamental problem of career politicians – lobbyists for big industry are too powerful when they can bury themselves in the pockets of our members of congress. Give the power of influence back to "the people". Health insurance reform will continue to be a struggle until we can remove such influence over our politicians in Washington.
To me the hypocrisy is stifling – career politicians who are guaranteed good health care coverage that WE pay for....are bickering over what the rest of us should need and ultimately receive.
Bravo to Senator Snowe! There is still much work to be done on this bill but she at least is willing to go forward to find a workable bill and has put the best interests of her constituents and the American public ahead of political party. Ways must be found to lower costs and make health care and insurance affordable for everyone.
Extremes on either end of the political spectrum have no insight into what it takes to serve our nation as a whole. We are a diverse bunch but a civil dialogue is required before we can solve any of our problems. and just saying no serves no one.
Senator Snowe is a thoughtful, intelligent, caring public servant.... one of the few that cares about the public at large as well as her constituents. I also wish more politicians had her integrity and honor.
I send her a heartfelt thank you.
The final bill that passes will not be very effective.
It will be stripped of any meaningful changes by the "FOR PROFIT"
Healthcare Lobbyist and the politicians that are beholding to the
same industry that they decry.
The only beneficial change has been removed – the public option.
The republicans made sure to equate this with socialism. I suspect
that they are all laughing as they continue to receive excellent healthcare paid for by our taxes; Yet, they would deny us the same
care?? HYPOCRITS!!!!
Politicians today are spineless puppets made to dance for the
highest bidder. Their own actions prove this!!!
I think we should get right down to the fundamentals here. A business is for profit, period. There is nothing wrong with that, but we need to realize that at the end of the day the purpose of a business is to produce profit for shareholders, nothing else. I don't want a for profit business patroling my streets or protecting my home from fire because a decision between my safety and pofits would at some point surely be made. That is why we have local police and fire departments. The same fundamental concept applies to healthcare. An insurance company is in business to bring in the revenue and spend the very least. I truly would rather have the government performing that service rather than a business that is for profit.
Bravo Senator Snowe.
You are what the people in this country need. Thank you!
The best option here is a government-funded public option as our insurance cost continues to go up. My rates just went up for 2010 and i have a higher deductible to cover now.
Without a public option, this plan will backfire. Americans will NOT LIKE being required to pay for a public option, especially with all the unemployed ones out there. In fact, without a public option, it's basically a gift to the insurance industry racket, captive customers without a choice.
I'm from Maine and applaud Sen. Snowe! Proud to have her representing us!
As a constituent, I can voice my opinion. Maine is generally a liberal state, though we have this Republican senator. Because she is moderate/centrist, I think that we are quite pleased with the job that she does. Though I personally lean to the left (or far left), I still think that she does a good job of crossing political lines and listening to what we as a state want. As one of the millions of uninsured, I personally know of the struggle of trying to get affordable healthcare. I am a recent college graduate and at 25, still in good health. But I have put off going to the doctor until I have been very sick/injured (like nearly cutting to the bone on one of my fingers and waiting until it was infected before going to the ER). Finding a job in the state of Maine that offers health insurance is like finding a needle in a haystack. It is nearly impossible. Even my parents, who have health coverage and make over $100k a year, have a difficult time paying off the ever increasing medical bills from my father's chronic heart problems. The insurance company is covering less, and the cost of his care is increasing, meaning that they have thousands of dollars every year out of pocket that they have to cover on top of a mortgage, paying for my brother's expensive college education, and worrying that my father is only a few years away from retirement. I hope Sen. Snowe continues to push for affordable health care and I hope that some point in the future I can go to the doctor for preventative care without worrying about my ability to pay my bills.
This country WILL go bankrupt, we may have universal health-care, but we won't have jobs. yay.
The problem is more foundational than healthcare versus insurance profits. Underlying that, it is about lifestyle choices. True, that some disease and accidents are completely random, unaffected by choice, but a great deal of expense could be avoided if we did not allow such a range of lifestyles associated with behavior resulting in otherwise unnecessary healthcare costs. A whole range of "expensive" lifestyle choices could be listed. I wonder if anyone in congress would tackle this issue, the most difficult of all?
Any bill that REQUIRES health insurance but does not provide a strong public option is worthless and puts us in a worse situation than what we have now.
We are ALREADY paying for the uninsured, the doctors and hospitals, shuffle the loss to the insured. That is why we pay $ 150 for a $ 20 pair or Sugery Hose, etc. I think the expense needs to be spread a little more evenly across our society. We need to also remember Medical Care has not always been a PROFIT center. Doctors although well paid, have not always been the wealthiest in town.
I rmember when this country enacted price controls, if the Drug Companies and Insurance keep pushing the envelope it will happen again.
this is just garbage, she's a traitor to the american people, this plan is one of the worst things that could possibly happen to america. I only pray for the sake of all Americans that it doesn't work. and those boys should be punished, i could care less about the age. if they were old enough to think about burning about a boy, and even more so to laugh about it. burn them back, only fair option
For some reason The U.S. government has found the money to budget for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Americans and lawmakers complain that there isn't money for a government health care option. This doesn't make sense, People!! wake up !
FINALLY!
I agree with Obama. There are so many middle man in the health care industry...it needs to be provided directly to the people. We live in the information technology world where people who cannot afford insurance are supported by people who do pay. Insurance companies simply pass the the bills to people who pay. This needs to stop. Hospitals are not absorbing costs of people who are uninsured. They are passing the bill to people who are paying via insurance by increasing the charges for medicines to toilet paper to bedsheets.
We live in responsible society and responsibility begins with the individual. If one can afford to have insurance for a car, I am sure everyone can afford the insurance for their own body.
I hope public option becomes a reality. we do not need 1500 insurance companies offering me health insurance. I need the one that is affordable, equitable and responsible. Remember republicans wanted Auto companies to file for Bankruptcy. Why cannot they do that for the health care companies? if public option is that competitive, I would say, let it be..why support the pay checks of the health care companies.
I do not understand what republicans and their supporters are getting by fighting this worthy cause.
Bob Bob Bob, poor people don't have car insurance... they don't drive. They chose to not own a car and pay insurance. How does that have anything to do with healthcare or the healthcare debate. Lets leave car insurance out of healthcare , it's in enough trouble the way it is