(11-19) 04:00 PST Washington - --
The political stakes enormous, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid launched long-awaited health care legislation Wednesday estimated to extend coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans at a cost of $849 billion.
Initial maneuvering on the Senate floor was expected later in the week on the measure, bitterly opposed by Republicans eager to deny President Obama a victory on his top domestic priority.
Officials have said the measure would require most Americans to carry health insurance and large companies to provide coverage to their workers, as well as ban insurance company practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.
At its core, the bill would set up new insurance marketplaces - called exchanges - primarily for those who now have a hard time getting or keeping coverage. Subsidies would be available to defray the cost of coverage for people with lower incomes.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said all consumers who purchase insurance from private companies in the exchange would have access to abortion coverage.
He said plans without abortion coverage also would have to be sold, giving consumers a choice. That is less restrictive than a provision in the House-passed bill that has angered liberals and abortion rights supporters.
With the support of two independents, Democrats have 60 seats, the exact number needed to choke off any Republican delaying tactics. Ahead lie weeks of maneuvering on the Senate floor.
Reid released his legislation more than a week after the House approved its version of the health care bill on a near party-line vote of 220-215.
This article appeared on page A - 11 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Login
FAQ
Search
macroscopic
