After months of debate, Senate Democrats unveiled a comprehensive health reform bill that the president dubbed a “critical milestone,” but Senate Republicans warned is far from perfect.

While a national agents’ group is praising the House for including its members in comprehensive health insurance reform, it is also voicing concerns over other provisions of the bill.

Abortion prohibitions do not belong in a health care reform bill because they are two separate issues, said Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin at a news conference in the Capitol Nov. 10.

While President Barack Obama praised a $1.2 trillion comprehensive health reform bill passed by the House as “courageous” and “historic,” Republican congressmen and members of the insurance industry are faulting the bill for its numerous shortcomings, especially the public option.

A plan House Republicans offered as an alternative reform measure would cost hundreds of millions less than one offered by Democrats, but also leave nearly 52 million Americans uninsured, government analysts say.

If President Obama signs onto a version of health care reform drafted by House Democrats that includes a public option, he will break one of the biggest promises he has …  Read →