on our way to a merge

CNN on what's next

New York Times on the vote and how well the parties are getting along

The Senate Bill search for HR 3590

Here's some direct quotes from :
H.R.3590
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Amendment in Senate)


SEC. 2713. COVERAGE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES.
(a) In General- A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost sharing requirements for--(1) evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of `A' or `B' in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force;.......

      (c) Value-based Insurance Design- The Secretary may develop guidelines to permit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage to utilize value-based insurance designs."
    Could there be a "public option" or something similar over time?

    SEC. 2715. DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF UNIFORM EXPLANATION OF COVERAGE DOCUMENTS AND STANDARDIZED DEFINITIONS.

      (a) In General- Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Secretary shall develop standards for use by a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, in compiling and providing to enrollees a summary of benefits and coverage explanation that accurately describes the benefits and coverage under the applicable plan or coverage. In developing such standards, the Secretary shall consult with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (referred to in this section as the `NAIC'), a working group composed of representatives of health insurance-related consumer advocacy organizations, health insurance issuers, health care professionals, patient advocates including those representing individuals with limited English proficiency, and other qualified individuals.........

    SEC. 2718. BRINGING DOWN THE COST OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

      (a) Clear Accounting for Costs- A health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall, with respect to each plan year, submit to the Secretary a report concerning the percentage of total premium revenue that such coverage expends--
      (1) on reimbursement for clinical services provided to enrollees under such coverage;
      (2) for activities that improve health care quality; and
      (3) on all other non-claims costs, including an explanation of the nature of such costs, and excluding State taxes and licensing or regulatory fees.
      The Secretary shall make reports received under this section available to the public on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services....
    SEC. 1101. IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO INSURANCE FOR UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS WITH A PREEXISTING CONDITION.

      (a) In General- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a temporary high risk health insurance pool program to provide health insurance coverage for eligible individuals during the period beginning on the date on which such program is established and ending on January 1, 2014.

    SEC. 1102. REINSURANCE FOR EARLY RETIREES.

      (a) Administration-
      (1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a temporary reinsurance program to provide reimbursement to participating employment-based plans for a portion of the cost of providing health insurance coverage to early retirees (and to the eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents of such retirees) during the period beginning on the date on which such program is established and ending on January 1, 2014......

    SEC. 1103. IMMEDIATE INFORMATION THAT ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO IDENTIFY AFFORDABLE COVERAGE OPTIONS.

      (a) Internet Portal to Affordable Coverage Options-
      (1) IMMEDIATE ESTABLISHMENT- Not later than July 1, 2010, the Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall establish a mechanism, including an Internet website, through which a resident of any State may identify affordable health insurance coverage options in that State.
      (2) CONNECTING TO AFFORDABLE COVERAGE- An Internet website established under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable, provide ways for residents of any State to receive information on at least the following coverage options:
    .......

    just the beginning of what just passed the Senate today...