Since the Recess: An Update on Healthcare Reform

The past few months of healthcare debate in Washington and across the nation have been rancorous to say the least. Americans have stood up in town halls, protested on the National mall, sent letters to their representatives, and more to let their voices be heard. Congress has come back from August recess with a full plate on their hands and the largest portion is a sweeping healthcare overhaul. They have hit the ground running over what will best suit America’s healthcare needs and here is a quick glimpse at some of the major happenings.

President Obama made his second address of the year to a joint session of congress, this time solely focusing on the topic of healthcare in hopes of drumming up support for his bill dubbed “Obamacare”. The main positions the President detailed in his address were the end to discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, prevention of coverage dropping when people become ill, creation of an insurance marketplace, a public health insurance option for those who cannot find coverage, and the requirement of large employers to cover employees who can afford to buy insurance. His address did not seem to have an immediate effect on public opinion of the bill but gave congress clear guidelines of what he will and will not sign.

The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), has also been in front of the cameras lately, unveiling an $856 billion bill that has been in the works over the past few months. While the Finance Committee has been working in a bipartisan fashion to shape the bill, the senator unfortunately was unable to garner any support from the opposite side of the isle and a rather weak backing from the left side when it was unveiled. Since then, the Baucus version has been through the committee debates and faced several challenges in the process. One such notable challenge was the addition of a government-run insurance option into the bill that was voted down two different times, highlighting a Democrat intraparty division. While the public option is all but dead in the Senate, it still clings to life in the House and could potentially be added later.

Many believe there will be a vote within the next month but with much discord still ringing in the halls of the capitol, it may all come down to the overhaul being passed as a reconciliation bill. It is a highly controversial way of getting though such a large piece of legislation, however it would effectively stifle a filibuster by allowing a simple majority vote as opposed to having to garner 60 votes. As we have said before, now is the time to contact your representatives and let your voice be heard on what you feel is best for yourself and for your business.

The Dallas Regional Chamber has come out with a list of healthcare reform principles we support and encourage lawmakers to consider. They can be found by visiting our website www.dallaschamber.org/healthcare. As well, the Dallas Regional Chamber will be hosting an event titled “Healthcare Hot Topic: For Better or for Worse, Healthcare Reform from Washington” on October 16th to discuss policy from the hill and how it affects your business. For more information please visit the Chamber website as well. Stay tuned, legislation passed in the next two months may have a large affect on the North Texas region.