The Senate Health Committee Milestone Vote

With a 13 to 10 vote, the Senate health committee passed a bill that would require individuals to obtain health insurance and force employers to contribute to the cost. The government would provide assistance to individuals and families to pay for these premiums. The House Democrat leaders pledged to meet the president's goal of new health care legislation before the Senate's August recess. This vote is one step closer to forcing all Americans to obtain health insurance coverage or face penalties. The medical providers, employers, and the wealthy Americans are ones who are left to pick up the tab on this bill.

The Democrats' plan calls for a 5.4% tax increase on individuals making more than a million dollar per year, with a smaller tax beginning for individuals making more than $280,000. Large business employers who don't provide coverage for their employees would be penaltized up to 8% of the workers' wage (with exemption for small businesses). Individals who are offered coverage, but decline would have to pay 2.5% penalty based on their incomes (up to the average cost of a health insurance plan). Democratic aides indicate that the total cost of the bill would be about $1.5 trillion over next 10 years.

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