September 2009 Legislative Report
Government-Run Health Care (HR 3200): This is the House bill which has created all the passion. On July 30, an amendment by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) that would have required identity verification for those claiming U.S. birth was defeated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Empowering Patients First Act (HR 3400) was introduced by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) and 27 co-sponsors on July 30, 2009, prior to the congressional recess. It was then referred to eight House committees. The 63-page Republican alternative is stalled in committees for a period to be determined by Speaker Pelosi. The Republican alternative would not impose fines on workers or employers, require cuts in Medicare, increase taxes, require a new government bureaucracy, require a "government health insurance" option nor add $1 trillion or more to the national debt. The Empowering Patients First Act, or H.R. 3400, would allow:
l Individuals to choose their health insurance (no mandates)
l Deductibility of health insurance premiums regardless of who pays
l Employers to provide flexible health-insurance options to employees
l Health insurance coverage for low-income families (300 percent of the federal poverty level)
l Health insurance for high-risk individuals (pre-existing conditions)
l Sale of health insurance across state lines
l Expansion of Health Savings Accounts
l Individual membership association health insurance plan
l Association Health Insurance Plans
l Medical liability limitations (Tort reform)
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U.S. Bank Failures: Through the end of August total 84.
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FDIC Insurance: TARP included legislation to raise the FDIC deposit insurance levels from $100,000 per depositor per insured institution to $250,000 through 12/31/09. In May 2009, Congress extended the $250,000 level to 12/31/13.
Government Spending: Outlays for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid during fiscal year 2009 (year ending 9/30/09) are expected to total $1.36 trillion. A stack of $100 bills 923 miles high is equal to $1.36 trillion. The distance between Chicago and New Orleans is 923 miles.
In the States: In August, Americans for Prosperity in MI launched a new website, NoMITaxHike.com to allow citizens to sign a petition to tell Governor Granholm that we do not want any more tax hikes in our state. Instead, balance the budget by reforming and restructuring. On 9/8, the Governor released her budget including $2.2 billion in budget cuts, $1.09 billion in tax hikes and tax credit reductions and about $2 billion in federal stimulus money spending in the next two years. Proposals to raise taxes on soft drinks, bottled water, entertainment, beer, tobacco and services are included. Additionally, AFP's 30-second TV spot, “Broken Promise,” telling the governor not to break her promise of no new taxes or fees can be viewed at the site.
Source: worldnetdaily.com, financial planning.com, FDIC, OMB, nomitaxhike.com, Detroit News
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