Politics are on full display in states’ decisions to set up required high-risk pools or let the federal government run a program for them. The District of Columbia and 29 other states have told the Department of Health and Human Services that they will set up their own health insurance programs. Another 18 states have declined. Two states, Florida and Arizona – the usual retarded stepchildren — haven’t even formally responded yet.
The Senate passed the package of healthcare reform bill fixes by a 56-43 vote. Three Democrats, Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, and Mark Pryor, joined Republicans in voting against the bill. It now goes to the House for a final vote later today.
Late on Sunday night (later than I wanted to stay up, anyway) the House passed both the Senate healthcare reform legislation and the House bundle of fixes. The entire package is on its way to Obama’s desk for signature. So what now? Brace yourself …
Healthcare reform came too late for 47,000 children of low-income parents in Arizona. Last week, Arizona became the first state to completely cut S-CHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) from its budget. It was one of three states to cap S-CHIP enrollment last year, but the other two states, California and Tennessee, removed their caps quickly. Arizona – well, not so much.
For low-income Arizona residents, recent legislative ax-wielding has resulted in 357,000 losing all healthcare coverage. Between S-CHIP and Medicaid slash-and-burns, Arizona may soon claim the title of unhealthiest state. What’s more, state leadership is willing to forgo current matching federal funds for these programs AND skip future federal matches under potential healthcare reform. Looks like it’s time to get the legislature some reading glasses — it has become so short-sighted, it’s now legally blind.
Here’s the link to the full text of the reconciliation bill, hot off the presses. Basically, the House will vote on these bundled fixes to the Senate bill, deeming that the Senate bill itself has already passed. Too bad employment raises don’t work the same way, eh?
Want more information? Head to the House site for a section-by-section look, Committee reports etc. See The Wonk Room’s comparison of this bill with the previous Senate and House bills. Check Kaiser Health News’ report on the 9 major changes in the reconciliation bill versus prior bills.
