By Joe Touschner
This week has been a reminder of both the promise and peril of health reform–we have seen real progress but also real signs that the whole initiative could falter.
Health reform legislation passed two committees in the House–Ways and Means and Education and Labor, but there remains serious doubt about whether it has the necessary level of support in the key Energy and Commerce Committee.
Other issues are dominating the headlines, but there has been significant activity on kids’ issues behind the scenes. A number of adopted or expected amendments are of particular interest:
- In the Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), with support from Democrats and two Republicans, added an amendment to guarantee EPSDT benefits to all children covered in the Exchange.
- In Energy and Commerce, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) is expected to introduce one or more amendments to: require all states to simplify the Medicaid enrollment process; strengthen benefits for kids, and expand affordable coverage for children through public programs.
- Also in Energy and Commerce, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) is expected to offer an amendment to help assure that CHIP children will not be moved into Exchange plans until it is clear that the coverage they get will be comparable.
Despite all of this activity in the House, progress has slowed in the Senate Finance Committee as the search for a bi-partisan bill continues. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved reform legislation this week, but nonetheless, there is increasing talk of missing the August deadline for a floor vote.
For those who want more details, here’s a sampling of key press clips on health reform that give a strong flavor for the current status of the debate:
“While the Senate continues to struggle over its approach to health care reform, House Democratic leaders have unveiled a bill that would go a long way toward solving the nation’s health insurance problems without driving up the deficit. It is already drawing fierce opposition from business groups and many Republicans. This is a bill worth fighting for.”
“The grumbling is reminiscent of an internal fight earlier this summer over climate change, one that produced landmark legislation, despite heavy foot-dragging by rank-and-file Democrats. But finding the votes on health care is a much greater challenge. Because this is viewed as the must-pass bill for President Barack Obama’s first year in the White House, lawmakers have a much greater incentive to shape this legislation and challenge their leaders. But if Democrats have more days like Thursday, they’re in trouble.”
New York Times by Robert Pear:
The House Ways and Means Committee approved legislation early Friday to overhaul the health care system and expand insurance coverage after a marathon session in which Democrats easily turned back Republican efforts to amend the bill.
