Legislation Still Stirring Debate On Health-Care Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio —The controversial public option has been dropped from the health-care reform bill, but the legislation is still stirring up debate.

There are 47 million Americans without health insurance.

The bill mandates that everyone has coverage by 2013.

It calls for improving access to affordable health insurance through private insurers or co-ops, and it provides subsidies for low-income people.

The price tag is estimated to be about $856 billion over the next 10 years.

But Tim Maglione with the Ohio State Medical Association explains that the bill would reduce the overall federal deficit by $49 billion.

“By reducing the amount of expenditures the government has to spend on federal programs they provide services to, like Medicare and Medicaid,” said Maglione.

Maglione explains Medicare and Medicaid would remain in place but would be more efficient.

He says employers would be committed to providing insurance or they would suffer consequences through tax codes.

But Maglione argues the legislation isn’t complete. He says it should address medical liability for physicians and that it shouldn’t prohibit physicians from developing specialized care facilities.

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