Now that the Senate has passed it’s version of health care, with the “purchase” of the votes of at least 5 or 6 Democratic senators, we may wonder what it all means.  Well, certainly it means that there will be a conference committee which will be controlled, dominated and ruled by Democrats.  This means that any negotiation will regarding which versions of health reform come to the floor for a final vote – the truly socialist or just very liberal.  In any case the battle lines are drawn.

Major issues related to federal funding of abortion remain, despite mistaken reporting by the New York Times, suggesting that the Catholic Health Association had split with the Catholic Bishops over the abortion issue . . . obi jo

Sr. Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Dec. 28 that her organization has never wavered in its commitment to health care that protects “from conception to natural death,” as outlined in the CHA document, “Our Vision for U.S. Health Care.” She disputed a report in The New York Times Dec. 26 that a recent CHA statement on Senate negotiations over abortion funding in health reform legislation represented a split with the bishops. “There is not a shred of disagreement between CHA and the bishops,” Keehan said. “We believe there is a great possibility and probability that in conference committee we can work toward a solution that will prevent federal funding of abortion.”

‘No disagreement’ between Catholic hospitals, bishops – http://ncronline.org/news/politics/no-disagreement-between-catholic-hospitals-bishops

Additional areas of contention relate to the proposed expansion of Medicaid to 150% (House) or 133% (Senate) of the federal poverty level, $16,240 or $14,400 respectively. This would give a family of four access to Medicaid with a combined income of between $29,326 and  $33,075 (estimated).  The main problem is that the states, many of them, are already in the red, and Medicaid expansion means an unfunded mandate by the federal government on the states.

Perhaps most contentious will be the proposed commission to control costs and cut health spending.  The spin has been that there is nearly half a trillion dollars in waste, fraud and abuse that can be “trimmed” from Medicare.  No reasonable expert believes this.  Certainly no physicians or patients truly believe this.   Yes there is waste and fraud, but not at the level suggested and many feel that this is just a ruse that will be used in fact to cut Medicare benefits.  Case in point – if there is this much waste, why not find it and cut it instead of raising Medicare premiums as was done this year (2010).

Lastly, most Americans, the 270 million plus with coverage, especially the 160 million plus with private coverage, are unlikely to see ANY benefits at all, beyond more red tape, higher costs and longer waits for care.  We applaud the desire to offer improved access and care to those in need, but the result of the past year is hardly anything to be joyous about . . . obi jo

The Senate voted Thursday to reinvent the nation’s health care system, passing a bill to guarantee access to health insurance for tens of millions of Americans and to rein in health costs. The 60-to-39 party-line vote, starting at 7:05 a.m. on the 25th straight day of debate on the legislation, brings Democrats closer to a goal they have pursued for decades and brings President Obama a step closer to success in his signature domestic initiative. When the roll was called, with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. presiding, it was the first time the Senate had gathered for a vote on Christmas Eve since 1895.

Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul on Party-Line Vote – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/health/policy/25health.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Now that the Senate has caught up with the House by passing a sweeping health care bill, lawmakers are on the verge of extending coverage to the tens of millions of Americans who have no health insurance. But what about the roughly 160 million workers and their dependents who already have health insurance through an employer? For many people, the result of the long, angry health care debate in Washington may be little more than more of the same.  As President Obama once promised, “If you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan.”  That may be true even if you don’t like your health plan. And no one seems to agree on whether the legislation will do much to reduce workers’ continually rising out-of-pocket costs.

Health Care Changes Wouldn’t Have Big Effect for Many – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/health/policy/25employer.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Comment Regarding Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 – http://www.chausa.org/Pub/MainNav/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2009/r091217a.htm

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