Ninth District Rep. Baron Hill is asking for comments and concerns from constituents regarding House Resolution 3962 — The Affordable Health Care for America Act.
The bill was unveiled Thursday by House Democratic leadership. It’s a product of three separate bills passed by the House energy and commerce, education and labor and ways and means committees.
“I am not entirely sure when the House will vote on H.R. 3962,” Hill, a Democrat, stated in a news release. “But I am still preparing as if the vote will be called soon.”
House Democratic leaders are pushing for the legislation to be voted on Saturday.
Hill said he’s reviewed the bill line-by-line in preparation for the vote. He’s not stated how he will vote on the measure, but said Thursday some of the language of the plan is encouraging as it relates to the 9th District.
“According to these estimates, the bill will allow several thousand small businesses in Southern Indiana to obtain affordable health care coverage for their employees, and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for a similarly significant number,” Hill said.
President Barack Obama said Congress is closer to passing health care reform than ever before Thursday. That announcement came after the AARP and the American Medical Association endorsed the House plan.
“Now that the doctors and medical professionals of America are standing with us, now that the organizations charged with looking out for the interests of seniors are standing with us, we are even closer,” Obama said.
Opponents of the bill continue to warn of government controlled health care and the expense it could entail.
“Baron Hill’s support for a massive health care takeover would be nothing more than a spineless attempt to appease his party bosses,” stated National Republican Congressional Committee Communications Director Ken Spain in a news release.
He called possible Hill support of the bill “a shameful tactic that will lead to higher costs for a struggling middle class, force Medicare cuts for seniors and mandate that Indiana taxpayers comply with a partisan ploy for more government control.”
But Hill said small business workers are paying more for premiums than those of large firms.
“I have heard from numerous Southern Indiana small business owners who want to provide coverage for their employees and cannot afford to, or who currently provide coverage but cannot sustain the rate at which the premiums are so rapidly increasing,” he said.
Reports from the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Clark County
Hill still weighing health care bill; house could vote Saturday
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
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Redistricting on tap again for Jeffersonville
Though they just did so last year, it’s already time for the Jeffersonville City Council to start thinking about redistricting again.
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JEFF Fest set for June 9
The Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Festival, better known as JEFF Fest, will
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be held from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. June 9 in Jeffersonville’s Preservation Park, 150 W. Market St. -
Charlestown encourages Realtors and developers to help it grow
he city hosted a showcase for about 200 developers and Realtors at Charlestown High School on Tuesday. The purpose of the showcase was to pitch the city as a place that is expected to prosper, especially in light of the continued development at River Ridge Commerce Center.
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Jeffersonville mayor vetoes two council acts
“It’s a meaningless resolution. It carries no weight. I think it’s political posturing and I’d as soon not be a part of it,” Moore said. “I will not be brought into a political discussion that’s already been decided.”
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Bridges project specifics emerging
Valentine outlined that incentives will be part of Kentucky’s contract with the winning bidder.
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He explained that once construction begins, the expected cost of construction per day will total about $80,000 and the contractor can earn incentives for finishing early and penalties for finishing late. A completion date is set for June 30, 2018. - News and Tribune briefs for May 23, 2012
- May 22, 2012
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Gregg picks Simpson for Dems ticket
Gregg got his biggest applause from the crowd Tuesday when he played up their joint support for women’s access to health care, which has become a national talking point for Democrats.
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TARC OKs rate increases
Contrary to its monetary situation, the amount of people riding the public transit system has increased about 10 percent, Barker said.
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But the transportation service had not raised its fares, aside from express routes, in four years. -
Miss Clark County 2012 entrants sought
The contest is based on interview, evening gown and professional wear competition. Any Clark County young woman between the ages of 16 to 21 is eligible to participate.
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
