The healthcare debate heats up as Senate Democrats scurry to try and get the 60 votes needed to move the health care bill to the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he’s confident of securing the 60 votes needed by Saturday.
Republican leaders have voiced their disapproval of the bill in it’s current language and the $850B price tag to be paid by the American people. This comes as polls show 85% of Americans like their healthcare coverage and worry passing of this bill will cause them to lose their healthcare insurance. Seniors have voiced concerns about the possible $500B cuts in the Medicare Program to help fund healthcare reform.
The CBO has estimated the package cost at $850B but Senate Republicans have stated the actual cost is over $2.5 Trillion over 10 years and the coverage for Americans will not begin until late 2013. Along with their estimate, the CBO states the public option included in the bill will cause insurance premiums to increase for every American versus the cost of private health insurance coverage. Polls show 56% of Americans do not support a government run healthcare program.
Over the summer Democrats visited their home districts and received and ear full from Tea Party Protestors voicing opposition to the healthcare bill and the excessive government spending by the Senate and President Obama. The question is are Republicans and Democrats listening. This question has yet to be answered. One thing is for sure, the cost of heathcare in the United States must be addressed. Insurance premiums and the cost of prescription drugs are on the rise. Is government control the answer? You decide.
Author: Cityclix.net Staff Writer
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