By JOHN MARTIN STAFF WRITER / (812) 464-7594 martinj@courierpress.com

The Senate’s version of national health care reform that was passed on Christmas Eve by a 60-39 vote failed to satisfy local political activists on either side of the ideological divide.

Those on the right scolded the bill as too costly and unconstitutional; those on the left complained it doesn’t take bold enough steps.

Slated to become effective in 2014, the Senate version of the bill would require most Americans to buy health insurance or face penalties.

It would establish insurance exchanges where consumers could shop for private coverage sold under federal guidelines. Federal subsidies would be avail

able to families with incomes of up to about $88,000 a year.

Insurance companies would be banned from denying benefits or charging higher fees on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate measure would extend coverage to about 31 million Americans who lack it, while cutting federal deficits by $130 billion over a decade and possibly much more in the following 10 years. Premiums would rise for some but fall for many others, particularly when the effects of federal subsidies are factored in, according to the agency.

The Senate’s version, unlike the House’s, is absent of a government-run option through which Americans could purchase health insurance.

Such a provision should have stayed in the bill, said local resident Laurel Rold, who is married to a physician and is a member of Evansville for Change, a group that worked last year for President Barack Obama’s election.

“I’m hoping we will get something that resembles a public option, or something that causes companies to lower premiums,” Rold said.

Rold also said she is concerned about the bill’s potential impact on small businesses, and, perhaps, “that’s something we could agree on both sides (of the debate).”

Still, Rold said she is “very happy” that health care reform has been passed in both houses of Congress and is poised to become law.

“Part of me feels very good that they did this, that the Democrats showed they had some guts,” Rold said.

DeLois Freeman, another member of Evansville for Change, agreed.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” she said. “I want a public option, but I like the idea that it is moving forward and we are making strides to offer health care.”

Others are vehemently opposed to the legislation.

Jim Bratten questions the constitutionality of government intervention in the health care system to such a large extent.

He said no one should be forced to buy health insurance if they don’t wish to have it.

However, “At this stage of the game, I think it (a health reform bill) is going to happen,” said Bratten, who is an organizer of the local group United Freedom Makers.

Bratten also didn’t like the deals made to benefit the states of wavering senators such as Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

“The Constitution says you can’t treat Nebraska different from other states, because of equal protection,” Bratten said.

Holli Sullivan, president of the local group Women Right of Center, said she objected to “fake deadlines” Obama set for Congress to pass versions of health care reform, and she pointed to polls showing majority opposition to health care reform measures currently in Congress.

“Their voices have been lost by pushing and shoving this bill through,” Sullivan said.

n The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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