House Dems. introduce real health care reform bill: The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act

Today, House Democrats introduced the real deal on health care reform. Ezra Klein says, "On first glance, it looks good." That's a good start for me. It appears to include a strong public plan (it wouldn't be real reform without one.) This is a massive legislative undertaking. There will be a markup in the the House Committee on Education and Labor tomorrow, which should last two days. No doubt, the insurance industry will be out in force to gut this bill. And, they'll have massive resources to do just that. Speaker Pelosi said this bill will pass before the August recess:

"If you change jobs, lose your job or start a new business,” she said, “you still have health care."

She then pressed the point that the legislation would be done by the president's deadline.

"Inaction is not an option for us,” Pelosi said. “That is why we are still on schedule to unveil this plan and pass this legislation before we leave for the August recess.

For a ton of info. on the legislation, check out The Gavel.

Also, Obama, who is channeling LBJ on health care, is supportive of the House bill, but doesn't draw any line in the sand. An excerpt from Obama's statement:

This proposal will also prevent insurance companies from denying people coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. It will ensure that workers can still have health insurance if they lose their job, change their job or start a new business. And it includes a health insurance exchange that will allow families and small businesses to compare prices and quality so they can choose the health care plan that best suits their needs. Among the choices that would be available in the exchange would be a public health insurance option that would make health care affordable by increasing competition, providing more choices, and keeping the insurance companies honest.

The House proposal will begin the process of fixing what’s broken about our health care system, reducing costs for all, building on what works, and covering an estimated 97% of all Americans. And by emphasizing prevention and wellness, it will also help improve the quality of health care for every American.

Then, let's get it passed. Just as it is. The game is on and White House is going to have to apply a lot of pressure on Democratic members of Congress to make this happen -- and they're gong to have to lose that whole bi-partisan schtick.