In the first instance, as you have pointed out, there are already 28 states that have been practicing the provision of contraception coverage, so any claim now seems a little absurd.

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Everything hinges on the mandate, also known as the "minimum coverage" or "must-buy" provision.

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But private provision of telephones, electricity and water has vastly increased their coverage and quality.

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Over the last 10 years China has made great strides in its health-care provision, enrolling 900 million people in various public schemes to ensure coverage of more than 95% of Chinese citizens.

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On the most controversial provision of the law -- a mandate requiring people to have health care coverage -- 51% of those questioned said they opposed it and 47% favored it, a gap within the survey's margin of error.

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Snowe has indicated her preference for a "trigger" provision that would mandate creation of a public health insurance option in the future if specific thresholds for expanded coverage and other changes were not met.

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Reid's health care bill, which will be given a cost assessment by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, also includes a provision from the Finance Committee bill allowing for the creation of nonprofit health care cooperatives that would negotiate collective insurance coverage for members.

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