October, 2009

While there was never that much doubt that the nation's health care system wastes a lot of money, an independent analysis supports the administration's ballpark estimate of $700 billion a year.

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Earlier today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled health reform legislation that promises to expand health care to 36 million people and fortify Medicare and Medicaid. The House democrats sponsored bill calls for an expansion of Medicaid, an end to insurance companies' exemption from anti-trust laws and an employer mandate for businesses with payrolls of more than $500,000. The estimated cost of the reform legislation is $894 billion over 10 years, spurring ongoing debates about just how much this will add to the federal deficit.

Legislation seeks to limit the amount low-and middle-income people pay for health insurance. But a shift in the way their share of the premium is calculated in the second year of the program may make it more expensive.

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Bowing to pressure from some Democrats, Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed to negotiate fees with doctors and hospitals.

Months of House negotiations to culminate in morning release of health care bill with government-run plan
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The $894 billion health care package would provide insurance to up to 36 million people by broadly expanding Medicaid and by offering subsidies to moderate-income Americans to buy insurance.

House Democratic leaders are preparing to unveil as soon as Thursday a health care bill that includes a more moderate version of the public option, several Democratic leadership aides tell CNN.

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