Evening Buzz: Health Care Vote Days Away
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
The end is in sight in the battle over health care reform. A vote in the House will likely take place Sunday.
Today the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office weighed in with a cost estimate on the latest bill. The so-called reconciliation measure would cost $940 billion over 10 years to expand health care to an additional 32 million Americans. In addition, the plan would cut the deficit by $138 billion over the first 10 years. That's $20 billion more than the Senate bill. Over the following decade, the CBO projects, it could reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion. The deficit reduction comes mainly from $438 billion in new tax revenue and more than $500 billion in savings from health programs like Medicare.
As we've been reporting, Democrats need 216 votes to pass the bill. We'll break down the vote count right now.
You'll also hear from a Democrat on the fence.
Pres. Obama has also vowed to jump start America's economy with a new jobs bill that he signed into law today. The measure offers a mix of tax breaks and spending aimed at getting business to start hiring again. Tonight we'll bring you one woman's struggle to find work. See how it has led her family to a place they never imagined.
You'll also hear from a woman attacked by the serial killer who appeared on 70's hit show "The Dating Game."
Tonight on 360° she's tells us about the chilling encounter at the age of eight and how she survived.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 p.m. See you then.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Everyone knows that we need healthcare reform.... BUT, let's fix the system we have before making a new one.
I am currently seeing/ experiencing the waste in healthcare facilities. My 98 year old mother was in the hospital for 3 weeks before being sent to a rehab facility. The waste is everywhere.... medical supplies and food. It is a disgrace that good products and food are tossed in trash every day.
Now the doctor has mentioned assisted living, but she is unable to pay for it. Instead of helping her return to independent living she will spend down her small savings and go on medicaid which will cost the government over 60,000. a year. Plus she'll have to stay in a nursing home. Sad situation. Bring back the Rest Home concept or develope a supplement to Medicare for long term care.
We need a solution NOW before the Baby Boomers start filling up the nursing homes. Couple are often encouraged to file for divorce to save homes and wealth – than the sick spouse goes on Medicaid.
We have lots of brillant minds in the US... let's use them to solve the problems.... before starting new programs.
Hey, Annie. I have MS & am on Medicare too. I definitely can't afford my medicine or equipment, but I think the bill is meant to help people like me and your mom. The premiums will be lower not higher, the 'donut hole' closed so we won't be caught off balance. Best, Arlene
If the 500 billion in savings from Medicare mean that the elderly on fixed incomes will have fewer benefits or their benefits will cost more I don't see how that is a good thing. If it wasn't for Medicare my mother would not be able to go to the doctor or fill her prescriptions – to pay for just the prescriptions alone it would be more than her social security pays her a month. To do that to a aging widow seems like Congress would be cutting in the wrong place.