Pelosi Unveils House Health Insurance Reform Bill

This morning on the Capitol steps

Here it is, in its entirety. Public option yes! Rates based not on Medicare, but on negotiations between HHS and providers. An expansion of Medicaid and improved Medicaid payment rates. Most everything we wanted.

Today, on the steps of the Capitol, Rep. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan joined Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, and other House members to unveil the historic heath care reform bill. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will provide affordability for the middle class, security for seniors and stability for future generations. We should also be proud that the bill includes language successfully secured by Rep. Heinrich to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (see page 1,635).

Here's a recap of what Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others had to say about it this morning. Ezra Klein at the Washington Post provides some insight into how the current bill manages to cost less than previous versions on the House side.

Oh, and by the way, the huge tea party flash mob event organized nationally to protest Pelosi's announcement in DC was a complete fizzle. About 10 people showed up with signs.