House Democrats roll out health care bill

Oct. 29, 2009 | Kitty Felde | KPCC

This morning, House Democrats unveiled the health care bill they will take to the floor for a vote.

More than a hundred Democrats paraded down the west steps of the Capitol to rock music. They tried to recapture the feeling of a national political convention, standing among tall blue pole signs reading "strengthen Medicare" and "deficit reduction."

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The bill itself includes a public health insurance option – though that information was left off the official press release. It's been the most contentious piece of the health care puzzle. The measure also caps out-of-pocket expenses, mandates no lifetime caps on coverage, and no discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.

A parade of congressional Democrats came before the microphone, congratulating themselves on getting a bill to the floor and introducing citizens with health care horror stories that illustrate various segments of the bill.

Now the real work begins: rounding up enough Democratic votes.

Don't look for GOP support. Congressman John Kline, ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee said, "Democrats are delivering yet another government takeover of our health care system crafted behind closed doors."

A floor vote is expected next week.

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