Both measures expand coverage under Medicaid, the existing government program servicing low income Americans, between 133 and 150 percent of the government's official poverty level, for the Senate and House plans respectively.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

Without the waivers those companies would simply drop coverage for low wage employees leaving them with no coverage.

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Capping the tax deductions for expensive plans would give the federal government money to subsidize the coverage of low-income purchasers.

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That is, tax relief for casualty losses generally are limited to those with the unfortunate confluence of poor insurance coverage, low adjusted gross income (AGI), and good documentation.

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