Congressman Jim Clyburn: “This Is The Civil Rights Act Of The 21st Century”

South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, the top-ranking black member of the House, framed the Democratic health care victory in terms reminiscent of the civil rights battles of decades past, saying, “This is the civil rights act of the 21st century.” But House Minority Leader John Boehner complained, “We have failed to listen to America.”  However, that seems not to be true. Wasn’t it America that elected enough Democrats to office to enable this historic vote? And is Boehner saying listening to America means listening to to the insurance industry?

The insurance industry, which spent millions on advertising trying to block the bill, would come under new federal regulation. They would be forbidden from placing lifetime dollar limits on policies, from denying coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions and from canceling policies when a policyholder becomes ill.

Parents would be able to keep children up to age 26 on their family insurance plans, three years longer than is now the case.

A new high-risk pool would offer coverage to uninsured people with medical problems until 2014, when the coverage expansion would go into high gear.

It was Clyburn’s friendship with the anti-abortion Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan that allowed a deal that led to victory.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.