After meeting with the Democratic caucus to unveil the details of his merged Senate health care reform bill, Senate Majority Harry Reid held a press conference to announce the bill.
The bill “saves lives, saves money and protects Medicare, makes Medicare stronger,” Reid said, flanked by several Democratic senators, including Chris Dodd, Debbie Stabenow, Al Franken and Chuck Schumer.
“Ninety-eight percent of the American people, those that have Medicare will be included in that number, will have health insurance,” he said,
Earlier today, Reid’s office briefed reporters on the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the bill, which will require $849 billion over 10 years in new spending and will reduce the deficit by $127 billion. The CBO had a slightly different percentage of Americans who will be insured, saying the number would come in at 94 percent.
“We’re proud of these figures,” Reid said.
“Not only do we make [health insurance] affordable for every American, we certainly do it in a fiscally responsible way,” he said.
“This is about winning,” he added.
He also commented on the recent guidelines released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that say women should wait until age 50 to start regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer, instead of the age of 40.
Reid said it is “outrageous” and women “should not have to wait until they are 50 years old” to get the screenings.
Republicans have attacked the guidelines, saying the guidelines are an omen of rationing under a government-run health care plan. Democrats have also expressed concern with the panel’s finding.
While taking questions, Reid said he’s talked to Sen. Max Baucus several times today and expects him to be there for a cloture vote.
“He’s a team guy,” Reid said. Baucus had flown to Montana because his mother is ill.
