Value Based Purchasing and Health Care Reform

Members of Congress Express Health Reform Legislation Concerns

On Friday, July 17th, six Senators sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell concerning the current health reform bill timeline and the need to proceed "thoughtfully and responsibly" to achieve bipartisan legislation.

 

See the letter:  Letter

 

On Thursday, July 16th, more than 20 Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, expressing concerns that the proposed health reform legislation will negatively impact American small businesses.

 

See the Letter:  Letter

UPDATE: House Committee on Education and Labor Approves Health Care Bill

In addition to the House Committee on Ways and Means approval (see below) today, the House Education and Labor Committee approved its version of health reform bill H.R. 3200.  The bill, which includes five amendments offered by Republicans, was passed by a 26-22 vote.  The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues its review of the bill and is expected to finish next week.  

 

See the Education and Labor Committee statement:  Education

 

See the article from TheHill.com:  TheHill

House Committee on Ways and Means Approves Health Care Bill

Today, July 17th, the House Committee on Ways and Means passed H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, by a vote of 23-18.  According to the Committee's website, the provisions passed today will be merged with provisions currently under consideration in the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor for consideration by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.

See the House Committee's statement here:  House

 

See this morning's discussion in the New York Times:  NY Times

 

Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee continues its review of the health legislation approved by the Senate HELP Committee on Wednesday.  While Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) had hoped the committee would complete its mark-ups by the end of this week, questions still remain as to how to fund the estimated $1 trillion cost of the bill and whether the bill should include a government-run health insurance plan.

 

See the discussion from TheHill.com, here:  TheHill.com

Senate HELP Committee Approves the Affordable Health Choices Act

On July 15th, by a partisan vote of 13 to 10, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ("HELP") Committee voted to report the Affordable Health Choices Act to the Senate.  According to the Committee's press release, the "bipartisan bill includes more than 160 Republican amendments accepted during a month-long mark-up. . . ."

 

The Press Release (link available below) includes statements from Democratic Members of the HELP Committee and a narrative section-by-section summary of the legislation.

 

Press Release:  HELP

 

See a Statement from Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the HELP Committee, regarding the legislation:  Senator Kennedy

AMA BACKS HOUSE HEALTH-CARE BILL

The American Medical Association has written House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel a letter supporting the $1 trillion-plus Democratic House health-care bill.

 

In the opening paragraph of the letter to Chairman Rangel, Dr. Michael Maves, the AMA's executive vice president and CEO, writes:

 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association, I am writing to express our appreciation and support for H.R. 3200, the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009." This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform. We urge members of the House Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means Committees to favorably report H.R. 3200 for consideration by the full House.

 

MSNBC Article and full text of the Letter:  MSNBC

 

AMA Article:  AMA

 

TheHill Article:  TheHill

 

House Committee Members Release Latest Health Reform Legislation

Yesterday, July 14th, House Democrats unveiled a discussion draft of their most recent health care reform legislation.  According to House Committee press releases (links below), the 1018 page bill is designed to "reduce out-of-control costs, encourage competition among insurance plans to improve choices for patients, and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans."  

 

The House bill includes provisions addressing a health insurance exchange, a public health insurance option, a surcharge on high income individuals, and employer coverage/contribution requirements.  This week members of the House Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce will begin marking up the draft legislation in an effort to have a bill ready for members to approve before the August recess.

 

The text of the bill may be viewed here:  Draft Bill

 

See the New York Times discussion of the bill here:  New York Times

 

See the Washington Post discussion of the bill here:  Washington Post

 

House Committee on Ways and Means Press Release:  Ways and Means

 

House Committee on Education and Labor Press Release:  EDLabor

 

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Press Release:  EnergyLabor