Democrats pushed forward healthcare reform in a key congressional panel on Friday, but the battle over US President Barack Obama’s top domestic policy goal looked ready to move outside Washington as lawmakers prepared for a monthlong break.
With opinion polls showing the public wary of the cost and scope of the healthcare legislation, Democrats said they needed Obama to keep up the pressure as they lobby their constituents to support legislation to rein in costs, improve care and cover most of the 46 million uninsured Americans.
“We need to go out and make an impressive case over August,” White House political adviser David Axelrod told reporters after meeting with House Democrats.
PHOTO: AFP
The third and last House panel, the Energy and Commerce Committee, approved its healthcare legislation by a vote of 31-28 after accepting changes to win votes of some fiscal conservatives and hold liberal support. Five Democrats joined all the Republicans on the panel voting against the bill.
With a price tag of US$1 trillion over 10 years, the bill would set up a new government-run health insurance program and allow states to set up nonprofit insurance cooperatives to compete with private insurers.
Among insurance reforms, it would bar insurers from rejecting coverage if a person already has a medical condition. Most large employers would be required to help provide insurance for workers, and subsidies for individual coverage would be increased.
Obama has staked much of his political fortune on winning an overhaul of the US$2.5 trillion healthcare system this year to expand insurance coverage to most Americans and hold down skyrocketing growth in medical costs, which he has described as central to long-term economic recovery.
During the summer recess, lawmakers are expected to return to their congressional districts and try to sway public opinion to their view of the issue, with Republicans arguing that the legislation would decrease competition in healthcare and insert the government into personal health decisions.
The Republican National Committee is spending nearly US$1 million on TV and radio ads in 33 states targeting Senate leaders and fiscal conservatives of the House.
As for Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has zeroed in on the insurance industry, which, unlike hospitals and drug companies, has not found ways to help pay for health reform.
Democrats see insurance companies with high costs and restrictions on care and coverage as an easy target for criticism.
“The glory days are coming to an end for the health insurance industry in our country,” Pelosi said, adding that Democrats would counter the industry’s “shock and awe carpet-bombing campaign” to keep the status quo.
Many industry and consumer groups backing healthcare reform also plan to speak out, including the American Medical Association.
While the president has set the overall goal, he left the tough details to lawmakers in the House and Senate, which are both working on the legislation.
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