New Health Care Legislation Opposed By Republicans

Dozens of spectators waited outside the caucus room to hear the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee review and debate over whether or not a public health care option is both affordable and/or conceivable. This was the second of several anticipated markups of the upcoming Affordable Health Choices Act, a bill aimed at reforming the U.S. health care system.

The act is intended to provide all Americans under 65 the opportunity to accept public coverage. It would also regulate insurers, expand Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and build a state-sponsored program to help Americans find affordable health coverage.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) jumped in with his objections almost immediately after the markup began it’s second session.

“The essential elements of this legislation we are not addressing,” said McCain, expressing his concern that the committee was not trying to obtain missing parts of the bill more quickly. According to McCain this included “The cost of the bill and provisions as far as government, and what the employers are going to do”

Other Republicans continue to oppose the bill because they believe that it looks too much like Medicare. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) called for a legislation that takes care of American families facing unemployment and rapidly rising health costs, rather than total government involvement.

“We need to remember the real implications of these policies – not simply in terms of political spin and special interests, but in terms of its impact on real people who are our mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brother and sisters,” said Hatch.

President Barack Obama has stated that he expects legislation granting health care reform on his desk by October of this year.