Jobs Bills Pushed Back to Accommodate Reform Passage - March 23, 2010

With both chambers of Congress focused on passing comprehensive health reform legislation, major “jobs bill” legislation has been stalled. Of critical concern to safety net hospitals is the future of H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act of 2010 (AWSBRA). Among other provisions, AWSBRA would extend enhanced federal Medicaid payments to states for six additional months, until June 30, 2010. It would also extend unemployment insurance, COBRA benefits and the Medicare physician payment “fix.” H.R. 4213 passed the Senate earlier this month. The House is expected to take up the legislation soon, but it must amend it as the bill uses some of the same offsets currently included in the health reform budget reconciliation measure. After House amendment and passage, the bill will be sent back to the Senate for passage. This process could take several weeks and will likely not be finished until after the Senate recess. NAPH has developed and is periodically updating an online chart to help hospital staff track the various “jobs” and “extenders” bills being considered by Congress.