(1) The Public Plan: The House bill implements a national health insurance plan offered by the federal government; The Senate bill would implement "private plans" sponsored by the federal Office of Pesonal Management.
(2) Federal Taxation:The House would impose a 5.4% tax on individuals with incomes exceeding $500,000; The Senate would impose a 40% tax on certain health plans for individuals and families.
(3) Employer Mandate: The House would require larger employers not offering enough coverage to pay a tax of up to 8% of payroll; The Senate would require larger employers not offering enough coverage to pay a $750.00 penalty per worker.
(4) Individual Mandate: The Senate would require individuals to obtain health coverage or to face an annual penalty of 2.5% of income (higher than a certain amount); The House would make individuals pay an annual phased-in penalty of at least $750.00 if they did not have health insurance.
(5) Medicaid Expansion: Both the Senate and House would expand Medicaid coverage for everyone earning up to 133% (Senate) & 150% (House) of the federal poverty level. (6) Abortion Funding: Both the House and Senate would bar the use of federal subsidies to pay for abortions, but would allow subsidy recipients to choose a plan covering abortion if it were paid for with segregated private funds (Senate) or to purchase separate coverage with their own money (House).
The final compromised version will be forthcoming - stay in touch and get in touch with your elected officials to express your views and concerns.
