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PPSV's Healthcare Reform Resource Center
Please visit and bookmark this page for daily updates on the healthcare reform debate.
In this issue, you'll find:
Senate Passes Cloture Vote on Manager's Amendment, Final Vote Set for Christmas Eve
Senate Democrats Release Manager's Amendment to Healthcare Bill
Congress Delays Debate on SGR Fix Until Next Year
Hearings and Floor Debate
Top Story
Senate Passes Cloture Vote on Manager's Amendment, Final Vote Set for Christmas Eve
Senate Democrats voted very early this morning to cut off debate on their version of healthcare reform legislation, setting up a final vote on the bill for December 24. All 40 Republicans dissented. The party line vote followed months of debate on what shape the bill should take, and the most recent version (released on Saturday) included compromise language on abortion and omitted a public plan - two major sticking points of the debate.
If the Senate passes the legislation this week, the House and Senate will then have to begin merging their two versions of the healthcare reform bills, which have significant differences. The House bill includes a national public option to be offered through the exchange, a tax on wealthy Americans to help pay for the bill and an employer mandate. On the other hand, the Senate bill includes a pay-for provision that many in the House oppose - a tax on high-premium insurance plans.
Health Care News
Senate Democrats Release Manager's Amendment to Healthcare Bill
On Saturday, December 19, Senate Democratic leadership unveiled a Manager's Amendment to HR 3590, the Senate's version of healthcare reform legislation. The amendment, which is just shy of 400 pages, includes a compromise on abortion language, expands some consumer protections and removes a national public plan option from the bill.
CBO estimates that the revised bill, which the Senate is expected to pass on Christmas Eve, would cost $871 billion and would expand coverage to 31 million people. The amendment retains a long term care insurance option (known as the CLASS Act) and extends the Children's Health Insurance Program through FY 2015. The amendment also removes a 1-year physician fee fix, meaning Congress will need to address the pending 21 percent payment cut at the beginning of next year. The AMA has been advocating for Congress to provide a permanent solution to the "fee fix" problem.
Congress Delays Debate on SGR Fix Until Next Year
On Saturday morning, the Senate passed a defense spending bill (H.R. 3326) that would freeze Medicare physician payments for two months, effectively delaying a pending 21 percent cut to physician payments scheduled to take effect January 1. The House passed the defense bill earlier this month. The bill freezes through February 28 reimbursement at current levels for Medicare physicians.
Upcoming Events
Hearings and Floor Debate
Monday, December 21
Senate resumes consideration of health care overhaul legislation (HR 3590)
Senate Floor, Noon
For More Information
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