A Democratic memo was released that laid out the timeline for health care reform. Democrats want to have the bill finished by the Easter recess. The thought is that right before a recess might reduce Republican shenanigans because they want to go home for recess (Jim Bunning want won’t to miss the NCAA tournament, I’d guess) and Democrats don’t want a repeat of the summer recess with a huge Republican misinformation campaign and angry teabaggers disrupting townhalls. At least if they’ve passed something they’ll be something to defend.
“Step one: The House passes the Senate’s health reform bill by March 19. The bill then goes to the president for signature without going through conference….After the Senate bill becomes law, the House then amends the Senate bill through a reconciliation bill, to be passed by March 21. That bill would be the only opportunity to amend, add or strike provisions in the Senate bill. Step three: The Senate begins debate on the reconciliation bill by March 23. Debate is limited to 30 hours. Votes begin March 26, the first day of Easter recess.”
Democrats have missed every other timeline (imagine if they’d actually passed it in the fall as originally planned) but I don’t think they’re going to allow Baucus and Snowe to slow walk the bill anymore. Attention turns now to getting the 216 needed to pass the bill. The Stupak Stupid group will probably cause a ruckus and he claims to have a dozen or so members who previously voted yes that will now vote no.
- Senator Coburn’s idea of expanding the fraud investigation in Medicare/Medicaid with undercover patients.
- More money for medical malpractice pilot programs
- Senator Grassley’s suggestion of increased doctor reimbursement in Medicaid.
- Addition of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to the exchange, as suggested by Senator Barrasso.