Business, labor, health groups react to House vote

A flurry of interest groups reacted last night to the passage of the House healthcare bill.

Here are some selected highlights:

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) blasted the bill:

"We are disappointed, but not surprised by today's vote -- an uneasiness echoed by millions of hardworking Americans as well as nearly half of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted against the bill.

"While well intentioned, the bill -- as passed -- would have the unintended consequences of killing tens of thousands of jobs in our industry at a time when the American economy is struggling and unemployment has soared above 10 percent. This is absolutely the worst time to be putting additional strains on the economy with punishing job losses.

"Despite the shortcomings in the House legislation, we remain completely committed to helping the President and Congress pass comprehensive health care reform this year. We continue to be guided by a single-minded purpose: everyone in America -- not just some of us, but all of us -- should have access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage and services. Done in a smart way, health care reform will benefit patients, the economy and the future of our nation.

American Medical Association praises the legislation but urges Congress to take up the "doc fix" as well:

“The AMA hails the passage of the House health reform bill, which will help improve the health system for patients and physicians and calls for swift passage of H.R. 3961 to secure the stability of the Medicare program. Passage of the House health reform bill is a big step forward as we work for comprehensive health reform this year. The AMA will continue its work with Congress and the administration to strengthen and improve health reform legislation as the process continues for patients and physicians.
 
The bill will significantly expand health insurance coverage to Americans; empower patient and physician decision making; institute meaningful insurance market reforms; make substantial investments in quality; institute prevention and wellness initiatives; provide incentives to states that adopt certificate of merit and/or early offer liability reforms, and reduce administrative burdens.
 
“As Congress considers new coverage commitments to the American people through health reform, it must ensure that commitments already made are fulfilled through passage of the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 3961).  This bill will permanently repeal the broken physician payment formula and preserve access to care for seniors, baby boomers and military families.”

Click on the link below to read more statements from SEIU, the Chamber of Commerce and several other interest groups.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is on board:

“The Affordable Health Choices Act guarantees quality health insurance is affordable and that the insurance industry can no longer stand in the way of people getting the care they need at a price they can afford.

 “This bill finally holds insurance companies accountable and makes sure they can never deny someone care because of an alleged ‘pre-existing condition’ such as a C-Section or pregnancy or rape.

“The House of Representative’s legislation proves we can assure every American the access to quality comprehensive healthcare reform – and not add a single dime to our country’s deficit. What’s more, we can do it responsibly so as not to add another burden to working Americans.

“We heard enough of ‘No We Can’t’ from the insurance industry, special interests and Republicans today and we will not let them stand in the way of a healthcare system that Americans have fought for nearly a century to realize.”

Americans United for Change urges Senate to stand up to "obnoxious right wing extremists":

“While a major hurdle has been cleared tonight, the big insurance companies have no doubt saved their biggest guns for the Senate in their desperate campaign to kill reform.  But we are confident that the Senate will too stand on the side of the vast majority of Americans – not big insurance.  We are confident they will listen to the AARP and the American Medical Association --- not a handful of obnoxious right-wing extremists.”

AFL-CIO urges the Senate onward:

The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a fiscally responsible bill that will cover 96 percent of Americans, end insurance company discrimination and denials of care and equip health care providers with the tools they need to lower costs for families and the country as a whole.  The bill is fairly funded and does not attempt to finance reform on the backs of the working middle class.  It guarantees that employers pay their fair share, includes a surtax on the highest earners who benefited so richly from the Bush tax cuts, and offers the choice of a public health insurance option that can compete with private insurers.
 
This bill is a great step forward for America's working families.  But we still have a long way to go.  As the Senate considers a health care reform bill over the coming weeks and the House and Senate bills are combined in conference, working men and women across the country stand ready to redouble their efforts to finish the job and make real health care reform a reality.

Business Roundtable isn't pleased:

“We are disappointed by the passage of a House bill that we cannot support. The House legislation contains many provisions that will threaten the coverage that 177 million Americans currently have through the employer-based system. Not only does it establish a government-run health plan, but it includes a “play or pay” mandate for employers that would limit the flexibility employers have to develop innovative plans for our employees.
 
“In addition, the bill fails to meet the bipartisan goal of controlling costs. To get health care reform right, we need to bend the cost curve for all Americans.  The government-run plan would just shift costs to employers: first, by shrinking and unbalancing the pool of individuals covered by private insurance and second, by reimbursing providers at a sub-market rate. This won’t just hurt businesses, it will hurt the millions of workers who have coverage through their employers.

National Federation of Independent Businesses is "outraged":

“Small business owners are outraged that their elected representatives voted to pass a healthcare bill that fails to lower costs, increase choice and provide real competition for America’s small businesses.  Instead, this bill will actually make things worse, not better. With unemployment at a 26-year high, the punitive employer mandates and atrocious new taxes will force small business owners to eliminate jobs and freeze expansion plans at a time when our nation’s economy needs small business to thrive.
“There is no question that this bill will have devastating consequences for small business owners, their employees and the country’s economic recovery. As we have said since its original introduction, H.R. 3962 is not the kind of reform America’s small businesses need or want.

Blue Shield and Blue Cross Association is disappointed:

We are disappointed that after months of rigorous debate and despite several analyses illustrating the very real unintended consequences of certain reform provisions, the House has passed legislation that undermines the goals of comprehensive healthcare reform.  Instead of using this once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand coverage, rein in costs, and improve healthcare quality, the bill creates a new government-run plan that jeopardizes affordability and access to coverage for the 160 million people who receive their benefits through their employers today; makes health coverage much more expensive, particularly for individuals and small employers; and represents a massive federal takeover of state regulatory functions.

Chamber of Commerce is not pleased:

“Today, the House missed a significant opportunity to advance reasonable and meaningful health reform that fundamentally changes how the health care system operates and changes the overall upward trajectory in spending.  American employers and employees want an improvement in the nation's health care system, not an unsustainable, unaffordable overhaul.
 
“Friday's news that unemployment has reached double digits for the first time in 26 years should have been a wake-up call for those considering job-stifling tax increases and employer mandates included in the House health care bill.

America's Health Insurance Plans urges Senate to improve on the House bill:

“The current House legislation fails to bend the health care cost curve and breaks the promise that those who like their current coverage can keep it.  A new government-run plan will cause millions to lose their existing coverage and draconian Medicare Advantage cuts will force millions of seniors out of the program entirely.
 
“This bill imposes inflexible mandates before getting everyone covered and new regulations that duplicate what is already in place at the state level.  Many of these reforms begin in 2010 after employees have already chosen their plans and contracts have been negotiated.  The result will be increased costs and massive disruptions in the quality coverage individuals and families rely on today."