This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8152382.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
US Senate panel backs health bill | US Senate panel backs health bill |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US Senate health committee has approved a bill to reform America's healthcare system, becoming the first congressional committee to pass a plan. | The US Senate health committee has approved a bill to reform America's healthcare system, becoming the first congressional committee to pass a plan. |
The legislation would expand coverage to nearly all Americans, at a cost of some $600bn (£365bn). | The legislation would expand coverage to nearly all Americans, at a cost of some $600bn (£365bn). |
US President Barack Obama, who is to speak on healthcare later on Wednesday, has said he wants Congress to pass a healthcare bill by the end of 2009. | US President Barack Obama, who is to speak on healthcare later on Wednesday, has said he wants Congress to pass a healthcare bill by the end of 2009. |
Four other congressional committees are also working on reform bills. | Four other congressional committees are also working on reform bills. |
Party line vote | Party line vote |
Three House of Representatives committees announced a joint proposal on Tuesday, and will begin voting on it on Thursday. | Three House of Representatives committees announced a joint proposal on Tuesday, and will begin voting on it on Thursday. |
The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to vote on its bill soon. | The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to vote on its bill soon. |
Eventually, a combined bill will be put before both chambers for approval. | Eventually, a combined bill will be put before both chambers for approval. |
HEALTHCARE IN THE US 46 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD averageReform plans would require all Americans to get insuranceSome propose public insurance option to compete with private insurers | |
The Senate health committee's bill would expand healthcare by requiring all Americans to take out health insurance, and providing subsidies to poorer families to help them pay for their coverage. | |
It is estimated that some 46 million Americans do not have health insurance, and a further 25 million are thought to have inadequate insurance. | |
The healthcare plans currently being considered in Congress are all attempting to expand coverage, while also reforming the system to prevent spiralling costs. | |
Healthcare in the US is costing $2.2tn a year, or 16% of the country's GDP, which is nearly double the OECD average. | |
All of the plans under consideration would require Americans to take out insurance, and would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. | |
The House committees' joint bill and the Senate health committee bills would also create a new publicly-run health plan, which they hope would compete with private insurers and drive down prices. | |
The senate finance committee bill is not expected to include a "public option", but would instead set up non-profit medical co-operatives to compete with private insurers. | |
'Urgency' | |
The health committee voted along party lines, with 13 Democrats in favour and 10 Republicans opposed. | |
The chairman of the health committee, Senator Edward Kennedy, was not present for the vote, because he is being treated for brain cancer. | |
Democrat Chris Dodd is acting as committee chairman in his absence. | Democrat Chris Dodd is acting as committee chairman in his absence. |
"This time we've produced legislation that by and large I think the American people want," he said. | "This time we've produced legislation that by and large I think the American people want," he said. |
President Obama also welcomed the vote and urged other congressional committees to complete their bills. | President Obama also welcomed the vote and urged other congressional committees to complete their bills. |
"[This] should give us hope, but it should not give us pause. It should instead provide the urgency for the House and Senate to finish their critical work on health reform before the August recess." | "[This] should give us hope, but it should not give us pause. It should instead provide the urgency for the House and Senate to finish their critical work on health reform before the August recess." |