Search
 

Blue Dogs barking at reform

The political process of moving health reform legislation hit a major roadblock last week and has come close to grinding to a halt. Blue Dog Democrats and other moderate members in the House spent most of the week publicly squabbling with the House

By staff Writer | Updated on July 29, 2009

The political process of moving health reform legislation hit a major roadblock last week and has come close to grinding to a halt. Blue Dog Democrats and other moderate members in the House spent most of the week publicly squabbling with the House leadership and Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., over the process, contents and cost of the health care reform legislation (H.R. 3200). The House Energy & Commerce Committee – the last of the three Committees with health care jurisdiction to consider the legislation – has suspended its debate because it lacks sufficient support to vote the bill out of the Committee. Chairman Waxman has agreed to keep negotiating with Democratic Committee members.

Blue Dog and moderate Democrats have numerous concerns about the bill, including geographic disparities in Medicare payment rates; the significant tax increases proposed ($800 billion over 10 years); the proposed public insurance option; the employer mandate; and the long-term costs of the legislation. House speaker Nancy Pelosi instructed staff to work through the weekend to try to address these concerns.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.