Reid Releases Senate Health Care Bill

By Marianna Levyash - Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) along with Democratic leaders on Thursday unveiled their health care bill, complete with a state opt-out government-administered public option.

During the press conference, Reid invoked former President Harry Truman, who wrote to Congress 64 years ago today that “we should resolve now that the health of this nation is a national concern, that financial barriers in the way of attaining health shall be removed.”

The 2,074 page “The Patient Protection and Affordable Act,” ensures that over ten years, the $849 billion bill will produce a net deficit of over $130 billion, cut future Medicare spending and ban insurance companies that decline coverage to anyone with a “pre-existing [medical] condition.”

Coverage will be extended to 94% of eligible Americans, close to the 96% of Americans covered in the House Affordable Health Care For America Act.

When asked about the abortion amendment in the bill, Reid answered “This is a health care bill, not an abortion bill.”

Reid and his fellow Democrats now need 60 votes in order to pass the bill. When asked about the chances of that happening, Reid responded by saying, “We’ll find out when the votes are taken.” He added that he will not use reconciliation as a means of passing the bill.

Giuliani Opposes Trying Terrorists In NY Civil Court

By Marianna Levyash- Talk Radio News Service

At a phone conference Wednesday, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani opposed trying 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other terrorists in civilian courts.

Giuliani said a more appropriate place for their trial would be miiltary tribunals for the terror suspects.

“There are military commissions that have now been confirmed and created by Congress...there is absolutely no reason to try these people in federal court in New York,” stated Giuliani.

The detainees are currently being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and they would be transferred to a civil court in New York City.

Giuliani also noted that there is “no reason to put people through an intense re-living of what happened with the terrorist.”

Giuliani said that this will be a multi-year process and will continue to create an enormous expense for the city and state government to have these trials.

Baucus Lukewarm On Kerry-Boxer Bill

By Marianna Levyash - Talk Radio News Service

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) stated that he supports climate change legislation, but holds some qualms over the Kerry-Boxer bill.

“I want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy the outdoors the way that we can today. So I’m going to work to pass climate-change legislation that is both meaningful and can muster enough votes to become law,” he said.

While Baucus did make clear that it is important for Congress to to act now on preserving the environment, he noted that the unemployment rate has reached an incredibly high level and therefore lawmakers must also work to create jobs in today’s economy.

Regardless of his reassuring statements, Baucus was the only Democrat to vote against The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act - otherwise known as the Kerry-Boxer bill - a vote that signaled his discontent with certain parts of the bill.

“While we must always be mindful of the cost of legislation, that’s particularly true in today’s economy. Our unemployment rate remains far too high. And we must be diligent to create jobs, including in the energy sector,” Baucus said.

2.5 Million More Immigrants Will Benefit From Health Care Reform Bill, Say House Republicans

By Marianna Levyash - Talk Radio News Service

House Republicans expressed concern Friday that the Affordable Health Care for All Americans Act contains loopholes which ultimately could provide government-subsidized health care benefits to illegal immigrants.

“It would cost the American tax payer $30.5 billion for people who have illegally come to this country,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)

Wilson added that according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), 2.5 million more illegal immigrants would benefit from the legislation.

The GOP members wrote amendments fo the House Health Care Reform Bill that would prevent access to health care benefits by these illegal aliens until they proved citizenship. However, the Rules Committee will reportedly not take any more amendments until the House votes.

“There’s a way to fix this...it should be fixed before the vote is taken,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)

Employment Non-Discrimination Act Re-Introduced In Senate

By Marianna Levyash- Talk Radio News Service

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Thursday re-introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill aimed at ensuring employment opportunity for all Americans and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

According to Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), about 20 states have already enacted laws banning discrimination on sexual orientation, some of which include gender identity.

“Qualified workers should not be turned away or have to fear losing their livelihood for reasons that have nothing to do with their capabilities, skills or performance. Such practices are un-American and it is time for them to stop,” Harkin stated.

Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) also showed their support for the legislation.

“We are on the path for a struggle ... to have full equality under the law.” said Merkley.

Harkin said he hopes the bill will be signed by President Barack Obama by 2010.