Senate dems roll out latest health care plan
WASHINGTON D.C. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Senate Democrats are rolling out their latest version of the health care reform plan.
Democratic leaders say it would cost nearly $850 billion over the next 10 years and provide coverage for about 31 million more Americans. That would mean 98 percent of legal residents would have health insurance.
The Congressional Budget Office also found the bill would cut the federal deficit by nearly $130 billion over the next decade.
"Remember this past year 750,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy. Over half of those bankruptcies dealt with health care costs. More than half the people filed bankruptcy because of health care costs, had insurance. So, not only do we make it more affordable for every American, we also do it certainly in a fiscally responsible way," said Senator Harry Reid.
The plan would raise Medicare taxes on people making more than $200,000 a year and not allow insurance companies to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
Republicans say raising taxes is not the way to go and plan to fight the bill.
Debate on the Senate floor is expected to begin this week.
