Read a Pacific Northwest, liberal perspective on world, national, and local politics. From majestic Redmond, Washington - the Northwest Progressive Institute Advocate.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

U.S. Senate passes Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010

By a vote of fifty-six to forty-three, the United States Senate has today approved H.R. 4872, the last component of healthcare reform, primarily intended to fix flaws and problems in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Among the "fixes" in H.R. 4872 is the elimination of the notorious "Cornhusker Kickback", which was placed into H.R. 3590 to obtain Senator Ben Nelson's vote. Nelson, not surprisingly, voted against H.R. 4872. He was joined by Arkansas Democrats-in-Name-Only Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln.

(Lincoln is up for reelection this year and is being primaried by Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, who has the support of the netroots).

All Republicans voted against the legislation, except Johnny Isakson of Georgia, who is out with an illness. That means the Pacific Northwest roll call was pretty straightforward: Democrats Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, and Mark Begich were all "ayes", while Republicans Jim Risch, Mike Crapo, and Lisa Murkowski were "nays".

Patty Murray was first to issue a statement on H.R. 4872.

"Today’s passage ensures that seniors in Washington state will be able to stop worrying about falling into the ‘donut hole’ and not being able to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy," declared Washington's senior senator. "Health insurance reform is going to help families and small business owners in Washington state in so many way starting this year."

"Today’s passage is just one more step toward lower premiums, more choices, and the health care security and stability our families deserve."

H.R. 4872 also forces private, for-profit banks to exit the student loan "business", which the CBO says will save taxpayers $61 billion over the next decade. Most of the savings will be reinvested in the form of aid to institutions of higher learning. The legislation also strengthens Pell Grants.

The bill unfortunately does not provide much relief to students and their families. It doesn't contain a generous increase in federal student aid, which means it does not address the skyrocketing cost of tuition.

But it does end one of the greatest ripoffs in American history.

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