Senate Health Reform Bill Clears First Hurdle - November 24, 2009

Just days after releasing their Senate health reform bill, Democratic leaders secured 60 votes in a vote Saturday, Nov. 21, to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed. All 58 Democrats and two independents caucusing with the Democrats voted to proceed to consideration of the bill, but several Senators noted that they would not vote to pass the bill in its current form. The motion to proceed clears the way for the debate on the bill itself to begin next week. Democratic leaders are hoping to pass the bill before the end of the year.

Of concern to NAPH members, the bill retains the significant Medicaid and Medicare DSH cuts included in legislation passed by the Senate Finance Committee. The cuts have been scored by the Congressional Budget Office as cutting $22.4 billion from federal Medicaid DSH payments and $20.6 billion in Medicare DSH payments. On Friday, Nov. 20, NAPH sent an action alert to all member hospitals, asking members to urge their Senators to reduce the DSH cuts in the Senate bill. Earlier in the month, 13 Senators signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), urging the Majority leader to reduce the DSH cuts. NAPH has prepared a summary of the Senate bill.