VARIOUS HEALTH CARE BILLS, PROPOSALS

Here's a look at the differentiating factors between the main bill, the House Tri-Committee bill commonly known as H.B. 3200, and various proposals and other bills on the table.

- America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009: This is the main bill. It requires everyone to have health insurance. It also creates a "Health Insurance Exchange" through which individuals and smaller employers can purchase coverage, with premium and cost-sharing credits available for those with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level. It requires most employers to provide coverage or pay into the exchange's fund and would expand Medicaid to 133 percent of the poverty level. -- introduced in the House Tri-Committee on June 19.

- Senate Finance Committee proposals: Also requires everyone to have health insurance. Creates state-based "gateways" through which individuals and small businesses can buy health coverage, also with subsidies available to those with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level. Expands Medicaid to all individuals with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

As for Medicare, until the Health Insurance Exchange is under way, it's proposed that those ages 55-64 who don't have coverage can buy in to Medicare at full cost. It has been proposed that a new public plan could be offered through the exchange. It has also been proposed that a public plan will not be offered.

- Affordable Health Choices Act: The Senate Finance Committee took some of its main points from this bill, which was introduced in the Senate HELP Committee on June 9. One difference is in the expansion of public programs. This bill would expand Medicaid and give those eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) the option of enrollment or going through the gateway exchange.

- Patients' Choice Act of 2009: Creates state-based health insurance exchanges with private plans. Employers continue to provide coverage to their employees, but the current tax preference for employer-sponsored insurance will be replaced with a tax credit of $2,290 for individuals and $5,710 for families to provide incentives for insurance coverage. Maintains Medicaid coverage for low-income people with disabilities, but integrates low-income families currently eligible for Medicaid into private insurance. -- Introduced by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and others on May 20.

- President Obama's Principles for Health Reform: President Obama outlined eight principles for health care reform in his 2010 budget overview, indicating that reform should: Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government; protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs; guarantee choice of doctors and health plans; invest in prevention and wellness; improve patient safety and quality care; assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans; maintain coverage when you change or lose your job; end barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

Source: The Kaiser Family Foundation, www.kff.org