Senate Democrats, President lower figures for Health Care Reform

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | July 3, 2009 at 03:10 am

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As the Health Care Debate is heating up, President Obama and Senate Democrats, have touted a lower figure of $611 Billion for Health Care Reform, over the next decade.

Health Care Reform is intended to insure every American, including some 41 Million who have no coverage now.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) the measure drafted by the Senate Health Committee falls short of President Obama's goal of providing insurance to all Americans.

A letter released by the CBO yesterday, estimates that only 21 Million of the 54 Million lacking insurance would be covered by 2019. This represents only 39% of the uninsured.

CBO Director, Douglas Elmendorf said that the letter did not represent a formal or complete estimate for the draft legislation. He also stated that the legislation did not include details on how to pay for the expanded coverage.

Senate Democrats and President Obama, trying to assuage fears about the cost of health reform, yesterday touted new estimates that put the price tag for one bill at $611 billion over the next decade.

But the measure drafted by the Senate health committee falls far short of Obama's goal of providing insurance to virtually every American. Analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, released in a letter yesterday, shows that it would cover just 39 percent of uninsured Americans in 2019 -- or about 21 million of the 54 million people expected to lack coverage if no change is made.

"The figures presented in this letter do not represent a formal or complete cost estimate for the draft legislation," CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf wrote. The draft legislation does not include details on how to pay for expanded coverage or administrative fees.