WASHINGTON (AP) -- Health care legislation is taking shape in both the House and Senate. Details are being negotiated and any final bill would have to meld proposals from both chambers. A look at various proposals:
Here are the names of the various proposals and the answer to "HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE":
- The Senate Finance Committee's bill: Self-employed people and small businesses could pick a plan offered through new state-based purchasing pools. Employees would be generally allowed to keep their work-provided coverage.
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's bill: Individuals and small businesses could purchase insurance through state-based purchasing pools called American Health Benefit Gateways.
- The House Democratic bill (three committees have approved slightly different versions that still must be merged): Through a new Health Insurance Exchange open to individuals and, initially, small employers; it could be expanded to large employers over time. States could opt to operate their own exchanges in place of the national exchange if they follow federal rules.
- The House Republican outline: No new purchasing exchange or marketplace is proposed. Health savings accounts and flexible spending plans would be strengthened.
- President Obama's proposal: Small businesses and people without access to affordable insurance through their employer or elsewhere would have access to a new exchange starting in 2013. Illegal immigrants would not be able to shop in the exchange.
Read the full article for the scoop on each plan:
WHO'S COVERED:
COST:
HOW IT'S PAID FOR:
REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS:
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS:
SUBSIDIES:
BENEFITS PACKAGE:
INSURANCE INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS:
GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN:
HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE:
CHANGES TO MEDICAID:
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Sources: Associated Press research, Kaiser Family Foundation.
via www.nytimes.com
