House Committee Approves Health-Care Package

VIA WASHINGTON POST:

The House Energy and Commerce Committee Friday night approved a sweeping package of health-care measures, clearing a critical hurdle that sets the stage for a five-week battle for both Democrats and Republicans to define the legislation in voters’ minds before the full House votes next month.

The final pieces of an intense two-week negotiation came together Friday morning, when rank-and-file liberals on the committee struck a deal with conservative Democrats that could lead to larger subsidies for lower-income workers to pay for health insurance. The committee then approved its portion of the House’s health-care bill on a 31 to 28 vote, with five Democrats joining all 23 Republicans opposing the measure.

The committee’s vote on the bill was the last thing keeping the House from adjourning for its August recess.

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