Breaking down the Healthcare Bill

NEWSCHANNEL 3 - The healthcare bill passed in the House late Saturday night with a 220-215 vote right along party lines. 

The new plan would cost $1.3 trillion if it passes and will be paid for by requiring every legal adult in the U.S. To purchase some form of insurance.

It is expected to expand healthcare coverage to 96 percent of all Americans. It will ban insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. It will also eliminate lifetime caps on how much an insurance company can pay out in benefits.

Under the new bill, anyone who refused to buy insurance will be taxed 2.5 percent of their income.

The bill would require any company with more than a half a million dollars in payroll, to offer insurance or pay an additional 8 percent tax. The bill will also add a 5 percent tax to people earning more than half a million dollars every year.

Now that the House passed it's version, the focus is shifting to the Senate. Democrats need 60 votes to pass it there. If it passes, the Senate and the House will have to work out their differences in a conference committee before voting on a final version that will go to President Obama.

Republican Congressman Vern Ehlers said he supports healthcare reform but this bill is not the solution.

"I'm looking for healthcare quality and to me means getting treatment you need from the doctor you choose," Ehlers said. "This bill does nothing to provide that."

West Michigan's only Democratic Congressman, Rep. Mark Schauer defended the bill and said it will help those in need. including thousands right here in our area.

"as a result of this bill, 36,000 of my constituents will finally be able to afford quality health coverage and peace of mind for their families," Schauer said.

Schauer also said most people in Michigan realize the current system is broken and it's time for us to fix it.

he healthcare bill passed in the House late Saturday night with a 220-215 vote right along party lines.