[NYAPRS Enews] Obama: HC Reform Must Be Done This Year; Kennedy Circulates Draft of Legislation

[Matt Canuteson]

Obama Says Health Reform Must Be Done This Year 

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report May 29, 2009 

The opportunity to enact health care reform legislation could be missed
unless Congress passes it this year, President Obama on Thursday said to
thousands of supporters in a phone call made from Air Force One, the
AP/USA Today reports. In a call to members of his political
organization, Organizing for America, Obama said, "If we don't get it
done this year, we're not going to get it done," adding, "I think the
status quo is unacceptable and that we've got to get it done this year."


Obama also said that any action on overhaul legislation could be delayed
unless volunteers pressure lawmakers to support the administration's
goals for health care reform (AP/USA Today, 5/28). Obama said, "Some of
you are in states and districts where politicians are resistant to
bringing about change, so we need you to get involved" (Zeleny, "The
Caucus," New York Times, 5/28). Obama told volunteers that it was time
to "remobilize" after their successful campaign to get him elected,
adding that "we have gotten a lot of things done during our first four
months. But health care, that's a big push" (AP/USA Today, 5/28).

David Plouffe, Obama's presidential campaign manager and head of
Organizing for America, during the call said, "If the country stands
with the president and if the country is demanding health care reform,
[then] we'll get it done," adding, "Washington will not have any option
but to follow us." He added, "You need to take ownership of this" ("The
Caucus," New York Times, 5/28). 

Organizing for America Campaign

The conference call was in preparation for the launch of Organizing for
America's health care campaign, the AP/USA Today reports (AP/USA Today,
5/28). Organizing for America has scheduled grassroots organizing events
beginning June 6, when Obama will release a video message about his
principal goals for reform. The ideas generated at the events will be
used to plan public service events that will be held on June 27. Mitch
Stewart, executive director of Organizing for America, said, "Reforming
[our] health care system is going to require each and every one [of] us
to get involved" (Davis, "Washington Wire," Wall Street Journal, 5/28). 

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=58640

Sen. Kennedy Circulates Draft Of Health Reform Legislation

Medical News Today June 1st 2009

   
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
<http://help.senate.gov/>  Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is circulating
an outline of health care overhaul legislation that includes a
requirement that all individuals obtain coverage and requires
contributions from employers, the Washington Post
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR20090
52803772.html?hpid=sec-health>  reports. According to the Post, the
legislation "closely resembles" the Massachusetts health insurance law
enacted in 2006, the Post reports. According to the draft summary, the
bill calls for a public, government-sponsored health insurance option
that would compete with private insurers. The measure also would expand
Medicaid eligibility, according to the Post. Kennedy spokesperson
Anthony Coley said that the outline is not yet finalized. He said, "We
are still actively negotiating with members" of the Senate HELP
Committee. 

According to a top White House official, Kennedy is expected to
introduce his measure on Monday. A timetable released by Kennedy's
office calls for Senate HELP Committee Democrats to meet June 2
(Connolly, Washington Post, 5/29). A bipartisan walk-through of
Kennedy's bill is scheduled for June 5 and June 9. Hearings on the bill
would then take place on June 10 or June 11. The mark up of the bill is
scheduled from June 16 through June 25 (Bogardus, The Hill
<http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/markup-for-healthcare-reform-slated
-for-mid-june-2009-05-28.html> , 5/28). If Kennedy holds to the
schedule, he will be ahead of other congressional Democrats, including
Senate Finance Committee <http://www.senate.gov/~finance/>  Chair Max
Baucus (D-Mont.), on proposing overhaul legislation (Washington Post,
5/29). Coley said, "These are target dates that are not set in stone."
Although Senate Democrats are hoping to pass health care reform
legislation before the August recess, several senators have questioned
whether that timeline is feasible (The Hill, 5/28).

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152013.php

 

 

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