Gaps For Consumers In Democrat Health Care Bills

For consumers, the health care bills taking final shape in Congress don't rate close to a perfect 10.

The Democrat measures would leave 12 million or more eligible Americans uninsured. Many middle-class families who would be required to buy coverage would still find the premiums a stretch, even with government aid. A new federal fund to provide temporary coverage for people with health problems would quickly run out of cash.

Both House and Senate bills now provide for a government insurance plan, but Reid's bill would let states opt out. It's not clear that Reid has the votes. He may be able to get a compromise to allow a government plan only if, after a reasonable time, insurance companies fail to deliver lower premiums.

Resolving these policy issues would be a historic accomplishment for Democrats. But the bill could still leave consumers feeling a little cheated.

The main consumer protections and financial help for the uninsured won't kick in for three to four years. The delay was necessary to tamp down costs. Even then, not all Americans would be covered.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates some 12 million eligible Americans would remain uninsured after the House bill is fully phased in, in 2019. Under the Senate bill, roughly 16 million would not have insurance. The bills would provide coverage to more than 30 million now uninsured, but workers would still be more likely to be uninsured than seniors.

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