Affordable Care Act on Life Support

When the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act starts next week, customers to the exchanges will be shocked to find that they have fewer choices and higher prices.

In Pennsylvania, the number of insurer has dwindled down from 13 to 8 and premiums are expected to rise 53%.

According to Aetna Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Bertolini, "As the rates rise, the healthier people pull out because the out-of-pocket costs aren’t worth it."

Given that, premiums are going up an average of 25% for next year. In Arizona alone, premiums are skyrocketing by a whopping 116%.

The American voter seems to have a very short memory. Here are a couple of items you should consider when you vote.

1. MIT economist Jonathan Gruber, the architect of Obamacare, mocking "the stupidity of the American voter" for not understanding the "true cost" of the Affordable Care Act.

2. President Obama PROMISING to lower health insurance premiums by $2,500 per year. Instead health insurance premiums climbed by 4.2% on average. Virginia, for example, will see its premiums jump between 3% and 67%. Listen to his own words. Think about it.

3. President Obama: 'If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan." Also, do you remember the other promise of being able to keep your doctor? Just to refresh your memory. "First of all, if you've got health insurance, you like your doctor, you like your plan - you can keep your doctor, you can keep your plan. Nobody is talking about taking that away from you."

President Barack Obama - 7/16/2009

"UN" Affordable Care Act

Remember when President Obama made a joke about the Stimulus package. He said that the shovel-ready jobs weren't as shovel-ready as everyone thought.

Well, guess what. The Affordable Care Act is not as affordable as everyone was led to believe. The entire act was predicated on having young, healthy people join to keep premiums low. It did not happen.

According to a recent Bloomberg article, 1.4 million people in 32 states will lose their healthcare coverage. This is largely caused by Aetna Inc., UnitedHealth Group and other insurers quitting the healthcare exchanges.

Do you remember the promises that were made on how the Affordable Care Act would save families $2,500 per year and that you could keep your doctor?

Look Out The Window

As Obama Travels Across The Country In A Last-Minute Bid For Votes, America’s Middle Class Deserves An Explanation For His Failed Policies

“Sometimes All President Barack Obama Has To Do Is Look Out The Window To Get A Firsthand Look At The Country’s Economic Woes.” (Julie Pace, “Rough Economy In Clear View For Obama On The Road,” The Associated Press, 10/2/12)

OVER THREE YEARS OF OBAMA’S FAILED POLICIES HAVE LEFT THE MIDDLE CLASS IN A SQUEEZE OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS

“Obama, Who Came Into Office Promising To Bolster The Middle Class And Reduce Inequality, Has Presided Over A Turbulent Economy That So Far Has Done Neither.” “Analysts call continuing high levels of joblessness a prime factor in the income and wealth declines that have continued for most Americans even after the recession ended. Obama, who came into office promising to bolster the middle class and reduce inequality, has presided over a turbulent economy that so far has done neither.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

• “The Tepid Pace Of Job Creation Looms As Perhaps The President’s Biggest Political Vulnerability As His Re-Election Campaign Enters Its Final Weeks.” “The tepid pace of job creation looms as perhaps the president’s biggest political vulnerability as his re-election campaign enters its final weeks. The unemployment rate had been stuck above 8 percent for 43 consecutive months before falling to 7.8 percent in September. Still, nearly 5 million Americans have been out of work for six months or more.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

• “[T]he President’s Policies Have Failed To Ignite Anything Close To The Robust Jobs Growth Needed To Overcome The Horrific Losses Caused By The Downturn.” “The aggressive series of actions helped construct a floor under the most severe economic collapse since the Great Depression, many economists agree. Yet, the president’s policies have failed to ignite anything close to the robust jobs growth needed to overcome the horrific losses caused by the downturn.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Obama’s Record: Struggling To Bring Back Jobs,” The Washington Post , 10/18/12)

The Washington Post Headline: “Census: Middle Class Shrinks To An All-Time Low” (Carol Morello, “Census: Middle Class Shrinks To An All-Time Low,” The Washington Post , 9/12/12)

“Far From A New Dawn Of Broad-Based Growth, America’s Middle Class Decline Is Getting Worse.” “Second, the hollowing out of America’s middle class – still politely described as median income stagnation rather than ‘decline’ – is accelerating rather than slowing. According to the US Census last week, the US median household is 4.8 per cent poorer now than at the start of the recovery in 2009. Median incomes have now fallen to the pre-internet level of 1993. All of the gains of the Clinton years have been lost. The decline in the past three years follows a 3.2 per cent drop during the recession, which itself followed a shrinkage during the 2000-2007 cycle. Far from a new dawn of broad-based growth, America’s middle class decline is getting worse.” (Edward Luce, “The US Economy Is Still In A Sorry State,” Financial Times, 9/23/12)

BY ANY MEASURE, AMERICANS DESERVE BETTER THAN OBAMANOMICS

Jobs: Since Obama Took Office, The Nation Has Lost 61,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Remained At Or Above 7.8 Percent For 45 Straight Months. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 10/23/12)

• Including 1,035,000 Construction Jobs, And 610,000 Manufacturing Jobs Lost. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 10/23/12)

• The Manufacturing Sector Shed 16,000 Jobs In September And 22,000 Jobs In August. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 10/23/12)

Unemployment: There Are Currently 23.2 Million Americans That Are Either Unemployed, Underemployed Or Have Given Up Looking For Work. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 10/23/12)

Long-Term Unemployment: The Average Duration Of Unemployment Has More Than Doubled From 19.8 Weeks To 39.8 Weeks. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 10/23/12)
Net Worth: “The Net Worth Of The American Family Has Fallen To Its Lowest Level In Two Decades.” (Ylan Q. Mui, “Fed: Americans’ Wealth Dropped 40 Percent,” The Washington Post , 6/11/12)

Median Household Income: Household Income Is Down $4,520 From $55,198 In January 2009 To $50,678 In August 2012. (“Household Income Trends, August 2012,” Sentier Research, 9/25/12)

• FactCheck.org: “Family Income Also Declined, By $3,290, To A Median Of $60,974 — A Drop Of 5.1 Percent Under Obama.” (“Obama’s Numbers,” FactCheck.org, 10/8/12)

Savings: 23.4 Percent Of Families Have No Savings At All, Up From 18.5 Percent In 2009. (Christine Dugas, “Recession Added Debt, Drained Families’ Savings,”USA Today, 5/12/12)

Government Assistance: “49.1%: Percent Of The Population That Lives In A Household Where At Least One Member Received Some Type Of Government Benefit In The First Quarter Of 2011.” (Phil Izzo, “Number Of The Week: Half Of U.S. Lives In Household Getting Benefits,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Real Time Economics,” 5/26/12)

Food Stamps: Since Obama Took Office, The Number Of Americans Receiving Food Stamps Has Increased From 31.9 Million To 46.7 Million, A 46 Percent Increase. (Department Of Agriculture, 9/28/12)

• FactCheck.org: Under Obama, Americans On Food Stamps Now At The “Highest Number On Record”: Nearly One In Every Seven Participate In The Program. “The number getting this aid reached nearly 46.7 million in July, the most recent monthly figures available. That’s the highest number on record, and equal to nearly one of every seven Americans. It’s also an increase of just under 46 percent since January 2009.” (“Obama’s Numbers,” FactCheck.org, 10/8/12)

Poverty: 97.3 Million Americans Now Qualify As Low-Income And Another 49.1 Million Are In Poverty; Together, 146.4 Million Americans Or 48 Percent Of The Population Are Low-Income Or In Poverty. “About 97.3 million Americans fall into a low-income category, commonly defined as those earning between 100 and 199 percent of the poverty level, based on a new supplemental measure by the Census Bureau that is designed to provide a fuller picture of poverty. Together with the 49.1 million who fall below the poverty line and are counted as poor, they number 146.4 million, or 48 percent of the U.S. population. That’s up by 4 million from 2009, the earliest numbers for the newly developed poverty measure.” (Hope Yen,
“Census Shows 1 In 2 People Are Poor Or Low-Income,” The Associated Press, 12/15/11)

Foreclosures: Currently 5. 64 Million Residential Mortgages Are Either 30 Days Delinquent Or In Foreclosure. (Press Release, “LPS ‘First Look’ Mortgage Report: September Month-End Data Shows Significant Rise In Delinquencies; Foreclosures Drop,” Lender Processing Services, 10/22/12)

• “65 Percent Of Local Housing Markets Nationwide Are Worse Off Than Four Years Ago Based On An Analysis Of Five Key Metrics Impacting Housing In More Than 900 Counties Nationwide.” “RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released an exclusive report on the health of local housing markets compared to four years ago. Titled ‘Election 2012 Housing Health Check,’ the report found that 65 percent of local housing markets nationwide are worse off than four years ago based on an analysis of five key metrics impacting housing in more than 900 counties nationwide. The key metrics analyzed were average home prices, unemployment, foreclosure inventory, foreclosure starts and share of distressed sales. In the 919 counties with data available for all five metrics, 580 (65 percent) showed at least three out of the five key metrics worse off than four years ago, while in 315 counties (35 percent) at least three of the five key metrics were better off than four years ago.” (Press Release, “65 Percent Of County Housing Markets Worse Off Than Four Years Ago According To RealtyTrac Election 2012 Report,” RealtyTrac , 10/22/12)

Negative Equity: As Of The Second Quarter Of 2012, 30.9 Percent – 15.3 Million – Of U.S. Homeowners With A Mortgage Are Underwater. (Stan Humphries, “Negative Equity Declines Slightly On The Back Of Modest Home Value Gains,” Zillow, 8/22/12)

Because Obamanomics Has Failed, Americans Now Also Have To Pay More With Less

Food Prices: Since Obama Became President, The Monthly Price Of A Moderate-Cost Food Plan For A Family Of Four With Young Children Has Increased From $819.40 To $858. (“Official USDA Food Plans: Cost Of Food At Home At Four Levels, U.S. Average, January 2009,” USDA , 2/09; “Official USDA Food Plans: Cost Of Food At Home At Four Levels, U.S. Average, August 2012,” USDA, 9/12)

Gas Prices: Since Obama Took Office, The Average Price Per Gallon Of Gas Has Nearly Doubled From $1.847 To $3.687. (“Gasoline And Diesel Fuel Update,” U.S. Energy And Information Administration, Accessed 10/23/12)

College Costs: Since Obama Took Office, The Average Cost Of In-State Tuition At A Four Year College Has Risen From $6,585 To $8,244, A 25 Percent Increase. (“Trends In College Pricing 2009,” College Board, 2008; “Trends In College Pricing 2011,” College Board, 2011)

Health Care Premiums: Under Obama, The Average Cost Of Family Health Care Premiums Has Increased By $3,065 From $12,680 To $15,745, A 24.2 Percent Increase. (“Employer Health Benefits, 2012 Annual Survey, Exhibit 6.4,” The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2012)

Student Loan Debt: “Student Loan Defaults Have Risen For The Sixth Straight Year.” “Student loan defaults have risen for the sixth straight year, as students from traditional non-profit universities have an increasingly difficult time paying off their college debt.” (Megan Hoyer, “More College Students Defaulting On Student Loans,” USA Today, 9/30/12)
Student Debt Has Stretched To A Record Number Of U.S. Households – Nearly 1 In 5. “With college enrollment growing, student debt has stretched to a record number of U.S. households – nearly 1 in 5 – with the biggest burdens falling on the young and poor.” (Hope Yen, “Student Debt Stretches To Record 1 In 5 Households,” The Associated Press, 9/27/12)

• Last Year, 13.4 Percent Of Borrowers Defaulted On Student Loans Within The First Three Years Of Payments. “The percentage of borrowers who defaulted on federal education loans within the first three years of payments rose to an average of 13.4 percent last year — 22.7 percent for those who attended for-profit colleges — according to statistics released on Friday by the Department of Education.” (Tamar Lewin, “Education Department Report Shows More Borrowers Defaulting On Student Loans,” The New York Times , 9/28/12)

• “The Rate Of Students Defaulting On Federal Loans Within Two Years, Also Released On Friday, Increased To 9.1 Percent, The Highest Level In More Than A Decade.” (Tamar Lewin, “Education Department Report Shows More Borrowers Defaulting On Student Loans,” The New York Times, 9/28/12)

Canton Resident Convicted in Health Care Fraud Scheme

A Canton pharmacist and pharmacy owner, along with five other associates, were found guilty by a federal jury on 26 counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy, health care fraud, and controlled substance distribution, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced .
The jury deliberated a little more than three days before returning the verdict, concluding a six-week trial before United States District Judge Arthur J. Tarnow.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley, III of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Lamont Pugh, Special Agent in Charge of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The jury convicted Babubhai (Bob) Patel, 49, and four pharmacists he employed, Brijesh Rawal, 36, of Canton; Ashwini Sharma, 34, of Novi; Lokesh Tayal, 36, of Northville; and Viral Thaker, 31 of Findlay, Ohio; and one of Patel’s business associates, Komal Acharya, 28, of Farmington Hills. Brijesh Rawal, Ashwini Sharma, Lokesh Tayal, and Viral Thaker were convicted of conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to distribute controlled substances; Komal Acharya was convicted of the sole charge she faced, conspiracy to commit health care fraud. In addition, Brijesh Rawal was convicted of one count of substantive health care fraud and three counts of substantive controlled substance distribution, in addition to the conspiracies; Viral Thaker was convicted of two substantive health care fraud counts and two substantive distribution counts. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the sole count pending against Harpreet Sachdeva.
“These defendants stole money from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which are designed to provide health care and medicine to some of our most vulnerable citizens,” McQuade said. “Pharmacists and health care providers should be aware that we are scrutinizing records to detect and prosecute health care fraud,” McQuade said.
Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Detroit Field Division stated, “Confronting the illegal diversion and abuse of controlled pharmaceuticals is a top priority of DEA and our law enforcement partners. Today’s verdicts eliminated one of the largest diversion conspiracies ever uncovered in the state of Michigan. The convictions, particularly of the medical professionals, are significant. These individuals abused their positions of trust and endangered the lives of countless people by illegally distributing opiate painkillers and depressants throughout southeast Michigan and beyond. This investigation makes it clear that the DEA and our partners in law enforcement will continue to investigate and bring to justice those individuals that are responsible for the illegal distribution of prescription medicines.”
“The diversion of prescription drugs, coupled with the submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare, creates a toxic scenario that can place an individual’s health and safety at risk as well as taxpayers’ dollars,” said Lamont Pugh, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “The OIG will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to hold those who seek to harm the Medicare program accountable.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Foley stated, “Those who abuse our health care system by stealing tax payer dollars will be brought to justice. Pharmacists and others who engage in criminal activity in order to enrich themselves financially will be held accountable for their illegal acts. The FBI is committed to stopping this form of fraud.”
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that, from approximately January 2006 through August 2011, Babubhai Patel owned and controlled over 20 pharmacies, which were operated in and around Detroit, Michigan. In addition, the evidence showed that Patel’s model for turning a profit at his pharmacies was based upon large-scale health care fraud and the diversion of controlled substances. Patel and his associates paid cash kickbacks and other forms of illegal remuneration to physicians in exchange for those physicians writing prescriptions for expensive medications, without regard to medical necessity, that could be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, or a private insurer through one of the Patel Pharmacies. Physicians affiliated with Babubhai Patel would also write prescriptions for controlled substances for their patients, again regardless of medical necessity, which would then be filled at one of the Patel Pharmacies. These controlled substances were distributed to patients and patient recruiters as a kickback in exchange for the patients using a Patel Pharmacy.
Pharmacists within the Patel Pharmacies, including defendants Rawal, Tayal, Sharma, and Thaker, facilitated the fraud and controlled substance distribution schemes by billing Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers for expensive, non-controlled medications that they had in inventory but never actually dispensed to the patients. The surplus of medications generated through this practice was returned to wholesalers, thereby enabling the Patel organization to maximize its profit on its inventory of medications which were billed for but never dispensed. The defendants billed insurers for dispensing medications that they knew were prescribed outside the course of legitimate medical practice, thus defrauding insurers by billing for medications regardless of medical necessity. The defendants would provide controlled drugs to patients and patient recruiters, knowing that those medications were prescribed outside the course of legitimate medical practice.
Evidence also showed that Acharya assisted Patel in sustaining the illegal health care fraud scheme at his pharmacies, principally by helping Patel and others conceal the proceeds of the fraud.
The case was investigated by the DEA, the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Wayne F. Pratt.

Interesting Healthcare Statistics

With health care cost skyrocketing, it is no wonder that it accounts for 18% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Here are some other things to consider.

• Medicare spends about $50 billion on the last 2 months of a patient's life.
• Medicare/Medicaid fraud is estimated at $70 billion per year.
• 23-30% of prescriptions never get picked up at the pharmacy according to a Surescripts study based on 40 million prescriptions from 2008-2010.
• 80% of health care bills contain errors.
• Insurance claim errors are estimated at about $17 billion per year.
• According to the Milliman Medical Index which measures the total annual cost of health care for a typical family of 4 using a Preferred Provider Plan (PPO), costs in 2002 were $9,235. In 2011, the costs were $19,393.
• By 2025, the average annual cost for family health care insurance will equal the average annual household income.

In my own case, I have watched my health care insurance premiums increase by 25% in less than 2 years.

Dems Weigh Other Options for Passing Health Care if GOP Wins Kennedy's Seat

FOXNews.com - Dems Weigh Other Options for Passing Health Care if GOP Wins Kennedy's Seat

Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told Bloomberg this week that Democrats are still considering reconciliation, a tactic that forbids filibusters and allow bills to pass with just 51 votes, or a simple majority.

Once again, a perfect example of how things are done in Washington, DC.

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U.S. Health Spending Growth Falls to Slowest Rate in Half a Century, Study Finds

U.S. Health Spending Growth Falls to Slowest Rate in Half a Century, Study Finds - FOXBusiness.com

With 10% unemployment and 7% underemployed, I can see why health spending cut back. If it weren't for my doctor and his staff taking care of my family's needs at cost or less, I don't know what I would have done.

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The Price Is Right? Payoffs for Senators Typical in Health Care Bill

FOXNews.com - The Price Is Right? Payoffs for Senators Typical in Health Care Bill

Sen. Ben Nelson's hardly the only lawmaker extracting sweetheart deals out of the health care reform bill.

While the Nebraska Democrat got a particularly juicy concession in exchange for a "yes" vote on the 10-year, $871 billion package -- permanent and full federal aid for his state's expanded Medicaid population -- support from a slew of other senators likewise came with a price.

Western states got more money for hospitals that serve Medicare patients. Louisiana got up to $300 million in Medicaid benefits. The list goes on.

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Sources: House Health Bill Totals $1.2 Trillion

Sources: House Health Bill Totals $1.2 Trillion - FOXNews.com

WASHINGTON -- The health care bill headed for a vote in the House this week costs $1.2 trillion or more over a decade, according to numerous Democratic officials and figures contained in an analysis by congressional budget experts, far higher than the $900 billion cited by President Barack Obama as a price tag for his reform plan.
While the Congressional Budget Office has put the cost of expanding coverage in the legislation at roughly $1 trillion, Democrats added billions more on higher spending for public health, a reinsurance program to hold down retiree health costs, payments for preventive services and more.

I guess we are finally talking "real" money here. What's a trillion dollars here and trillion dollars there. The cost of health care is spiraling out of control. We need to address that more than anything else. Think about it. I used to pay $5 for a prescription. The actual cost is almost $40. Since most people including our own doctors are insulated from the true prices of health care, they have no clue what it is costing someone. It doesn't matter who pays for the health care. Ultimately, we all do either through government programs or through higher premiums.

I have friends who are doctors and they are considering going to a cash only system. They are tired of the insurance problems and employing more people just to handle the red tape of the insurance companies. In some offices, there are more people who handle insurance than those who handle patients. Don't you think that's crazy.

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Reid Hits Roadblocks in Bid to Pass Health Bill With Government Insurance Plan

Reid Hits Roadblocks in Bid to Pass Health Bill With Government Insurance Plan - Political News - FOXNews.com

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was struggling Tuesday to drum up the support necessary to pass a health care reform bill that includes a government insurance plan, with key moderate Democrats backing away from the package ahead of a crucial vote.

Independent Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman said Tuesday that he would support a Republican filibuster against the bill unless it's changed. Key Democratic moderates including Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.; Ben Nelson, D-Neb.; and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., also said they were uncertain how they'd vote, expressing deep reservations about the public plan.

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Insurer Changes Mind: Fat Baby to Get Health Coverage

Insurer Changes Mind: Fat Baby to Get Health Coverage - Children's Health - FOXNews.com

A Colorado insurance company is changing its attitude about fat babies.
Rocky Mountain Health Plans said it will no longer consider obesity a "pre-existing condition" barring coverage for hefty infants. The change comes after the insurer turned down a Grand Junction 4-month-old who weighs about 17 pounds. The insurer deemed Alex Lange obese and said the infant didn't qualify for coverage.

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Health Care Reform Bill Clears Final Senate Panel, Tough Negotiations Loom

Health Care Reform Bill Clears Final Senate Panel, Tough Negotiations Loom - Political News - FOXNews.com

Health care reform cleared a momentous hurdle Tuesday, as the Senate Finance Committee voted to send its version of the legislation to the Senate floor after months of closely watched deliberations.

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White House, Supporters Pile On Health Insurance Industry Over Critical Report

White House, Supporters Pile On Health Insurance Industry Over Critical Report - Political News - FOXNews.com

The White House and congressional Democrats, along with prominent supporters of their health care reform plans, fired back Monday at the insurance industry for issuing a study that claims the reform bill working its way toward a key vote Tuesday will raise the cost of individual coverage by hundreds of dollars a year.

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17-Pound, 4-Month-Old Baby Denied Health Insurance for Being Too Fat

17-Pound, 4-Month-Old Baby Denied Health Insurance for Being Too Fat - Children's Health - FOXNews.com

Nothing brings a smile to an adult's face quicker than the sight of a happy, chubby baby.
But the sight of 4-month-old Alex Lange, who measures 25-inches long and weighs 17 pounds, is bringing a frown to the hypothetical face of insurance company Rocky Mountain Health Plans, The Denver Post reported on its Web site Monday.

The biggest issue is the fact that health insurance companies will not even try to cover people. They want to insure only those who are in perfect health so they can collect the premiums. Health insurance companies push and will continue to push people with pre-existing conditions to state high-risk pools. The premiums in those programs are higher than the highest premiums of the health insurance companies.

I still believe that tort reform is needed in a major way when it comes to medical lawsuits. If the doctor or hospital has done something criminally wrong, then I say throw the book at them. But, if the doctor and hospital have done everything humanly possible, then we don't sue. Doctors and hospitals can only do so much. There are 2 rules in medicine.

1. People die.
2. Doctors, no matter how hard they try or what they do, can't change rule #1.

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Obama's Health Plan Offers Medicare Cuts, Tax Increases First, Benefits Later

Obama's Health Plan Offers Medicare Cuts, Tax Increases First, Benefits Later - Political News - FOXNews.com

Sixty years is how long Democrats say they've been pushing for legislation that provides health care access for all Americans. They'll have to wait another three if President Obama gets a bill to sign this year.

Under the Democratic bills, federal tax credits to help make health insurance affordable for millions of low- and middle-income households won't start flowing until 2013 -- after the next presidential election. But Medicare cuts and a sizable chunk of the tax increases to pay for the overhaul kick in immediately.

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Reid: Senate Finance Committee to Vote on Health Bill Tuesday

Reid: Senate Finance Committee to Vote on Health Bill Tuesday - Political News - FOXNews.com

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated Thursday that the Senate Finance Committee will vote on its health care bill Tuesday morning.
Congressional budget experts gave a boost Wednesday to that version of President Obama's proposed overhaul of the health care system, concluding that the bill pending in the Finance Committee would cost $829 billion over the next 10 years -- under the $900 billion target set by Obama.

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