HR3590 Health Care Bill & Government Health Insurance

The full text of the law can be viewed here.

We have heard about health care reform all too often, what with all the debate and opinions that have been given by both sides of the issue. The idea was presented to Americans during the campaign trail, and when President Barack Obama finally occupied the White House he stood by the words he uttered regarding health care reform. Now that it has been signed into law, it is well worth every American’s time to go through it bit by bit.

H.R. 3590 was sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel of the 15th District of New York along with 40 co-sponsors, a majority of whom are Democrats. It was introduced in September 2009 and was referred to the House Committee of Ways and Means, which is chaired by its sponsor, Cong. Rangel. It was reported by the Committee in October, 2009 and underwent 506 proposed amendments. It passed the House on October 8, 2009, and the Senate on Christmas Eve – December 24, 2009.

The President signed it into law on March 23, 2010.

Its other titles include the following: Health Care Reform Bill, Cures Acceleration Network Act of 2009, and Establishing a Network of Health-Advancing National Centers of Excellence for Depression Act of 2009, among others.

The law includes such provisions as insurance market reforms that aim to protect consumers, making quality health coverage available and affordable to Americans, ensuring that small businesses are provided with affordable choices, improvements on Medicaid and the strengthening of Medicare for senior citizens.