Both bills were written by Democrats, but that's not going to make it easier for Reid. They share a common goal, which is to provide all Americans with access to affordable health insurance, but they differ on how to accomplish it.
The Finance Committee bill that was approved Tuesday has no government-sponsored insurance plan and no requirement on employers that they must offer coverage. It relies instead on a requirement that all Americans obtain insurance.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill, passed earlier by a panel in which liberals predominate, calls for both a government plan to compete with private insurers and a mandate that employers help cover their workers. Those are only two of dozens of differences.
Maria Lewytzkyj on 03 Oct 09The high cost of healthcare has been a subject that has confounded life in America and in various countries throughout the world throughout history. Why so high? Do higher costs in various countries determine the quality of care? Is health care supposed to be seen just like any other commodity? If a doctor notices that people cannot afford quality healthcare, what is their responsibility to the patient?
