Both Chambers Work to Combine Bills; Find Votes - October 19, 2009

Congressional leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives are working to combine versions of health care reform legislation passed by various committees of jurisdiction before the bills move to the chambers’ respective floors. Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) indicated that he expects a combined Senate bill to be finished late this week. All indications are that the House has largely finished its legislation, but leaders are working to determine if they have the votes to pass a bill on the floor. It is not yet clear when the House will act. NAPH continues to work with Congressional champions to advance our legislative priorities: reduction in the size of Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts in the Senate bill, inclusion of (and funding for) safety net care coordination activities, and expansion of 340B drug discounts to the inpatient setting.