Learn More:

  • How do consumers fare?
    In 2009, Consumers Union identified the criteria that we would use to analyze the promised health care proposals. We are now down to a single Senate bill and a single House bill. How do consumers fare? (January 12, 2010)
  • What would the best bill look like?
    Making sure health insurance policies are actually affordable for those who must buy them is our top priority in the coming weeks, and should be Congress' top priority as well. (January 11, 2010)
  • Getting the best possible health insurance marketplace
    In the absence of a public plan option, a robust national insurance exchange is the best way to force companies to compete on price and quality. (January 10, 2010)
  • CU President's Letter to House Leadership
    On January 6th, 2010, President Jim Guest asked Congressional leaders to make sure the final health reform bill is affordable for American families who will be required to purchase health coverage. (January 6, 2010)
  • More transparency needed in insurance marketplace
    Standardized benefits and costs will help consumers make best insurance choices (December 7, 2009)
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Our take on reform proposals:

  • What's broken?
    Health care spending represents one fifth of our economy, yet by all accounts we are not getting good value for our money. Why? (September 27, 2009)
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The final road to health reform

The end of 2009 saw a historic effort on health reform—both the Senate and the House approved major bills, paving the way in early 2010 for final negotiations between leaders of both chambers on a final health reform measure.

While there remain major differences between the two bills—and Consumers Union continues to push for reforms that give consumers the most benefit – it is anticipated that a final bill may be signed into law by the President in the coming months.

In the meantime, we know you are most concerned about how health reform proposals will affect you and your family. Check out our tool here that can show you what the various reforms under consideration will mean for you when it comes to getting health coverage.

Where the process stands now:

House

By a vote of 220-215, the House of Representatives passed a major health reform bill (H.R. 3962) on Nov. 7, 2009. This bill includes major pro-consumer measures, and includes workable solutions to getting all Americans access to affordable, reliable health coverage.


Senate

On Dec. 24, 2009, the Senate voted 60-39 to pass its version of health reform (HR 3590), closing out the year with both chambers of Congress approving historic health reform bills. Now, House and Senate leaders will negotiate to combine both bills into one measure designed to provide all Americans with affordable, reliable health coverage.