Major player in health care reform goes on the attack

A major player in the push to reform America's health care system is on the attack.

By: Whit Johnson, CBS News | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: October 13, 2009

A major player in the push to reform America's health care system is on the attack.

The nation's insurance industry now says a senate bill under consideration doesn't do enough to make sure people buy insurance.

But even with that new bump in the road, a key Senate committee is expected to take a big step forward later today.

Whit Johnson has the latest from Washington.

A ten-year, 829 billion dollar plan to reform the nation's health care system is likely to pass a critical vote in the Senate Finance Committee later today. If the Democratically controlled panel approves the proposal as expected, it then moves to the full Senate for debate.

But the legislation still has a long way to go before reaching the President's desk and plenty of critics. Republicans argue the measure will further increase the soaring national debt and raise taxes.

And while the congressional debate continues, a new study funded by the the health insurance industry says the Senate bill will add thousands of dollars to cost of a typical policy.

Insurers say the Senate plan doesn't do enough to mandate coverage. They fear millions won't buy insurance until they are sick, which will drive up the cost for those who do.

Supporters see it much differently. They call the report an insurance industry hatchet job and not worth the paper it is written on.

As the Senate gets closer to a final bill, the House is currently considering three versions of the controversial legislation.