Greetings,

Health Care Update

ON Friday, October 2nd, at 2:10 am, the Senate Finance Committee wrapped up a review of 564 possible ad-on amendments to their version of Health Care Reform. Officially, the Baucus proposal will be put to a Committee vote this upcoming Tuesday or Wednesday.

Of the hundreds of revisions, the Committee did vote to change the following:

1. States have the option of negotiating with Insurance Companies on behalf of its low-income citizens. This amendment narrowly passed, with a 12-11 vote; yet, gives hope for the final Senate version to include a public option.
2. Increase the premium tax threshold for workers in high-risk fields and retirees. For families the current amount is $21,000; however, the level for high-risk industry workers was raised $5,000 to $26,000. We will continue to work against this tax altogether.

Still, in the house we are growing a stronger foot-hold between members who object to the Senate Finance Committee’s excise tax. Representative Joe Courtney’s petition was signed by 133 House Reps. If you do not see your Representative, please contact, and urge them, to take a public stand against this tax:

CURRENT CO-SIGNER LIST: