Democratic Healthcare Reforms Would Take Three Years to Implement

USA Today (10/12) reports that Democrats have sought "legislation that provides healthcare access for all Americans" for the last sixty years, but "they'll have to wait three more if President Obama gets a bill to sign this year."

Under Democratic bills "being considered, federal tax credits to help make health insurance affordable for millions of low- and middle-income households won't start until 2013. Medicare cuts and a sizable chunk of the tax increases to pay for the changes kick in immediately."

Obama Administration officials "and Democratic lawmakers say the reason for the three-year wait is the time it's going to take to set up insurance marketplaces, write consumer protection rules and reconfigure the bureaucracy to carry out the legislation."

Some Democrats concerned by three-year delay. The AP (10/10, Alonso-Zaldivar) reported that under Democratic healthcare reform proposals, "federal tax credits to help make health insurance affordable for millions of low- and middle-income households won't start flowing until 2013 -- after the next presidential election. But Medicare cuts and a sizable chunk of the tax increases to pay for the overhaul kick in immediately."

The "eat-your-vegetables-first approach is causing heartburn for some Democrats. Three years is a long time to wait for dessert, and opponents could capitalize on misgivings about the complex legislation to undo what would be a signature achievement for Obama."