March 25th, 2010

2010 Healthcare Reform Bill Summary and Reconciliation.  The 2,300 page healthcare reform bill passed by the Senate in December was passed by the House of Representatives Sunday night.  Tuesday, Obama signed the bill into law and for the  most part many think that is that.

Not the case.  There are questions over the constitutionality of the bill. For instance, there are clauses in the bill that require individuals to purchase insurance or pay 2% of their income or $750 in fees – which ever is higher.

The House previously knocked down a healthcare bill, but then passed the Senate’s version of the bill.  While many were hoping that there would be a major reconciliation prior to the bill going to the President, changes will be made to the bill using executive orders.

The first executive order was signed today, in a private signing attended by only a few invited individuals.  The executive order dealt with abortion wording in the Senate bill, which is why Bart Stupak from Michigan initially refused to vote for the Senate healthcare bill.

The executive order signed yesterday basically ensured that insurance companies wouldn’t be able to use federal funds for abortions, except under the language of the 1976 Hyde amendment, which allows abortion in circumstances of rape and incest.

There’s no word on how many executive orders will be signed before 2014, or if the healthcare legislation will ever be implemented.  After all, with states suing and constituents demanding answers the battle for healthcare reform still appears to be uphill.

Source:

Associated Press

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