The U.S. House of Representatives has passed health care reform legislation which would make sweeping changes to the insurance industry by creating a government run option. What President Obama called a landmark piece of legislation is expected to face more opposition in the Senate where there is a smaller Democratic majority.
Proponents say the plan will provide more access to coverage by requiring everyone to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
It would also give the federal government the power to end practices like denial of coverage due to a preexisting condition, but some consumers worry how much control they would have.
UAB School of Business Professor Morris Gee says there are positive changes included in the bill, but they come with a hefty price tag. "It's additional taxes on the consumer there's additional taxes on the business owner through payroll. Someone's got to pay for it, nothing's free," said Morris Gee.
He said Alabama could be hit especially hard if the proposed legislation becomes law.
“Birmingham is really dependent on this healthcare economy that we now have,” said Gee.
He thinks important aspects of this hotly contested issue still haven't been explained to the general public.
"There's been a tremendous public relations type push behind the scenes, but my opinion is that they've been very inadequate and very misguided. The information that needs to get out on this bill has not gotten out to the person on the street or in the factory buildings or on the office floors that actually pays their insurance,” said Gee.
All six of Alabama's U.S. Representatives opposed the legislation which passed by a mere five votes.
U.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus voiced his concern that the public option would ultimately dominate the insurance market. He says if lawmakers think the "Affordable Health Care for Americans Act" is good enough for the general public, they ought to trade their current health insurance for the public option.
