Extenders and Jobs Bill Hit Multiple Snags - March 2, 2010

Before the Senate can focus its full attention on health reform legislation, it must first deal with multiple delays to its jobs bill legislation and extensions of expiring provisions. Last week, the Senate easily passed a small jobs bill ($15 billion) targeted at small businesses. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sought to separately pass short-term extensions on several issues including a Medicare physician payment update, unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits. This move was blocked by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) who objected to the bill, arguing that its cost should be offset. While Senate leaders are trying to find ways to deal with Sen. Bunning’s concerns, they are also pushing forward on a larger jobs bill, early drafts of which would include longer term extensions of the programs noted above and a key NAPH priority—a six-month extension in enhanced Medicaid payments to states. Those provisions—costing over $100 billion—are currently not paid for, likely meaning future headaches for Senate leaders.