Senate Dems Vote Against Lower Premiums

57 Democrats Vote Against Keeping Premiums Affordable. Barrasso Amendment #3582: “The implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (and the amendments made by such Act) shall be conditioned on the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifying to Congress that the implementation of such Act (and amendments) would not increase premiums more than the premium increases projected prior to the date of enactment of such Act.” (Barrasso Amendment #3582, Roll Call Vote #68, Motion To Table Agreed To 57-41: R 0-40; D 55-1; I 2-0, 3/24/10

Under Dem Health Care Law “Premiums Will Continue To Rise,”“Healthy Families Will Be Picking Up Most Of The Bill”

NEW YORK TIMES: “In Effect, Healthy Families Will Be Picking Up Most Of The Bill — And Their Insurance Will Be Somewhat More Expensive Than It Otherwise Would Have Been.” (“In Health Care Bill, Obama Attacks Wealth Inequality,” The New York Times, 3/24/10)

CBS: “For Most Americans Insured Through Work, Health Care Coverage Is Expected To Stay The Same ... But Premiums Will Continue To Rise. How much? No one's certain. To pay for this sweeping reform, here's what will change: Those tax-free flexible spending accounts will be cut in half. They reimburse some medical bills not covered by insurance. The new cap: $2,500. CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports if you make more, you'll pay more. Starting in 2013, individuals earning more than $200,000 a year - and families earning more than $250,000 - will pay almost one percent more on their Medicare payroll tax.” (“Already Insured? Get Ready To Pay More,” CBS News, 3/22/10)

AP: “Buyers, Beware: President Barack Obama Says His Health Care Overhaul Will Lower Premiums By Double Digits, But Check The Fine Print. Premiums Are Likely To Keep Going Up Even If The Health Care Bill Passes, Experts Say. … ‘There's no question premiums are still going to keep going up,’ said Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a research clearinghouse on the health care system.” (“Fact Check: Premiums Would Rise Under Obama Plan,” AP, 3/17/10)

“The Budget Office Concluded That Premiums For People Buying Their Own Coverage Would Go Up By An Average Of 10 Percent To 13 Percent, Compared With The Levels They'd Reach Without The Legislation. That's mainly because policies in the individual insurance market would provide more comprehensive benefits than they do today.” (“Fact Check: Premiums Would Rise Under Obama Plan,” The Associated Press, 3/17/10)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “Anyone Who Would Stand Before You And Say Well, If You Pass Health Care Reform, Next Year's Health Care Premiums Are Going Down, I Don't Think Is Telling The Truth. I Think It Is Likely They Would Go Up, But What We're Trying To Do Is Slow The Rate Of Increase.” (Sen. Durbin, Floor Remarks, 3/10/10)

REP. JIM MATHESON (D-UT): “Legislation … Will Result In Increases In Health Insurance Premiums.” “I am saddened that the year-long debate on health reform has resulted in legislation that is too expensive, contains too many special deals, does not contain health care costs and will result in increases in health insurance premiums and therefore I will vote against the legislation.” Press Release, 03/20/10)

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Tags: government health care, democrats, higher premiums, US Senate
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