While Democrats push for an overall health care plan for children, Republican leaders of the House and Senate are attacking proposals that call for a major expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program. Florida health insurance agent Morgan Moran says "the new plan will be paid for with higher taxes on tobacco."
(PRWEB) July 27, 2007 -- Health insurance chaos continues. In the House, Democrats are trying to bring health insurance coverage to 5 million children who are currently "uninsured" - "but it looks like Republicans will fight these proposals," said Morgan Moran, of www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com.
The top two Republicans in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Trent Lott of Mississippi, say they oppose the bipartisan bill that the Senate Finance Committee approved last week and the two senators would offer an alternative to the insurance plan on the Senate floor.
Top House Republicans object to the House Democrats' plan to finance their proposals. The Democrats want to fund the new insurance plan with increases in tobacco taxes, and cuts in subsidies for private health plans. Republicans say public coverage would in some cases replace private insurance. Insurance consultant Moran says "any additional health insurance coverage for Florida's children is a good thing".
Republican spin doctor's are saying things like, this plan is "Dragging people out of private health insurance to put them into a government-run programs" and "it is 'Hillary care' come back," referring to the Clinton administration plan for universal health coverage for all American's.
Moran said he "hoped that both chambers would approve the bills next week, before Congress begins a monthlong summer recess." The House bill, developed entirely by Democrats, would increase spending on children's coverage by $50 billion over five years, providing a total of $75 billion.
In a letter to colleagues, Mr. Mitch McConnell and Mr. Trent Lott said, that the measure "imposes an open-ended financial burden" on American taxpayers and takes a significant step toward a government-run health care system. The Democrats say, "Republican's have earmarked the funds for their own "open-ended financial burden" - the war in Iraq.
A Democratic Representative Diana DeGette, of Colorado, is a leading proponent of the House bill, she said: "For the longest time, I was mystified why Republicans would oppose expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program to kids who are eligible but not enrolled. "Unfortunately," Ms. DeGette said, "Republicans are pursuing this strategy on the backs of poor children."
Florida health insurance consultant, Moran said, "The Senate bill focuses on coverage for children." The House bill also calls for major changes in Medicare. It would, for example, halt a 10 percent cut in payments to doctors, scheduled for January, and would reduce payments for private insurance known as Medicare Advantage plans.
About Florida Health Insurance Web:
Florida Health Insurance Web is an online source of health insurance agents and insurance carriers covering individuals in the state of Florida. Individuals can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. For a directory and archive of Florida Health Insurance Consultants, a listing of the best rates and free quotes, please visit www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com.
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