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NEWS BRIEFS
Democrats’ health bills leave gaps for consumers
WASHINGTON (AP) — For consumers, the health care bills taking final shape in Congress don’t rate close to a perfect 10.
The Democratic measures would leave 12 million or more eligible Americans uninsured. Many middle-class families who’d now be required to buy coverage would still find the premiums a stretch, even with government aid. A new federal fund to provide temporary coverage for people with health problems would quickly run out of cash.
For now, these bread-and-butter concerns take a back seat to more pressing issues for Democratic lawmakers trying to deliver on President Barack Obama’s signature issue.
Congressional Democrats are trying to resolve differences within their own ranks on abortion, taxes and allowing the government to sell health insurance as a competitor to private companies. Those are all crucial policy questions, and House and Senate Democrats have taken conflicting approaches. But in the end, the concerns lawmakers are focusing on may not match the needs of their constituents.
The House passed its health care bill 220-215 earlier this month. The Senate cleared the way Saturday for debate on legislation unveiled by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The bill, a compromise between two committee-passed versions, could undergo significant changes as senators amend it during weeks of arduous debate ahead.
