J. Michael Smith, Esq. President Michael P. Farris, Esq. Chairman

After months of negotiations and votes, the U.S. Senate’s final vote on the health care overhaul bill is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. on December 24, Christmas Eve.

HSLDA opposes the health care reform bills that have been moving through Congress because of their creation of invasive, federally funded, home visitation programs. Additionally, there are many unanswered questions about the Senate’s health care bill. There are questions whether tax dollars will be used to subsidize health insurance plans that pay for abortion; whether parents will be pressured to immunize their children; whether health care will be “rationed” or limited for more expensive procedures; whether people will be forced to purchase government-approved health insurance or face jail or fines; whether the federal government will gain even more power over the lives of American citizens; whether the cost of health care will increase; and many more questions. At a time when families across the United States are coming together to celebrate Christmas, HSLDA believes that the Senate is trying to rush this 2,000-plus page health care bill to a vote, and hoping that no one is paying attention to the ugly details buried deep within the bill.

We urge you to call your two U.S. senators as soon as possible and simply urge them to vote to defeat the Senate’s health care bill, “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” It is not necessary to identify yourself as a homeschooler. You can reach your senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or by using HSLDA’s Legislative Toolbox.

Background

The Senate health care bill authorizes $1.1 billion in federal grants over the next four years to fund home visitation programs that will evaluate state-deemed “at-risk” households and instruct parents on how to help their children meet certain standards in behavior and education. The states will report the progress of these programs to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the secretary’s self-appointed panel. If the states fail to meet certain goals, the secretary will become directly involved in creating a new goal plan.

Although these programs will be voluntary, states in competition for the grants may feel pressured to expand the number of participants, and in turn pressure parents to participate-—allowing the federal government unprecedented access into private homes and involvement in early education. HSLDA sees these programs as a huge expansion of the federal government’s power, and a threat to parental rights.

Additionally, the Senate health care bill will completely change how health care is provided in the United States. Although the plan to create a new federal health insurance program known as the “government-run public option” was defeated, the Senate bill will still require health insurance plans to meet new federal mandates and guidelines.

If the Senate votes on Christmas Eve to pass its version of the health care bill, it will need to be merged with the version that the U.S. House of Representatives already passed, since the versions have significant differences. Both bills will go to a conference committee, which will then require each house to again approve the final draft. Alternatively, the House of Representatives will simply vote on the Senate’s version of the health care bill. HSLDA will closely monitor developments if the Senate passes its health care bill on Christmas Eve, and we will send out another action email if necessary.

Other Resources

For more details on the Senate’s health care bill, please read HSLDA’s legislative analysis.