Thread: House Health Care Bill May Have 'Unintended Consequences'

House Health Care Legislation May Lead to ‘Unintended Consequences,’ Republican Senator Says

Friday, August 14, 2009
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor


Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, answers a question from Sheryl Prather during a town meeting on health care reform Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 in Adel, Iowa. (AP Photo/Steve Pope)


(CNSNews.com) – As Republicans and Democrats argue about what the House health care bill says or does not say, one lawmaker says the bill is open to interpretation – and that’s the problem.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, says health care legislation crafted in the House "is so poorly cobbled together that it will have all kinds of unintended consequences."

Grassley announced on Thursday that the Senate Finance Committee has dropped end-of-life provisions from its health care legislation -- "entirely because of the way they could be misinterpreted and implemented incorrectly."

That’s apparently what many town hall attendees fear.

While Democrats insist that concerned American citizens are "spreading lies" about health care reform legislation, Grassley speaks for those who worry that end-of-life provisions in the House bill will be interpreted in a way that encourages the elderly and infirm to forego life-sustaining treatment.

Section 1233 of the House bill 3200 has been a target of particular wrath at town hall meetings across the country.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., left, and the committee's ranking Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, talk on Capitol Hill in this April 2, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
What the bill says

Section 1233 deals with “advance care planning consultationsâ€

Chamber of Commerce don't want Health Care Reform because the businesses will have to pay for the illegal aliens via a tax

The pharmacy company that has a possible deal with The White House, is going to save us 80 Billion over 10 years if "We the People" don't get reduced drug from out of the country. Now think These insurances companies will raise their prices continually. Who will truly pay for this 80 Billion saving for some?