Health Care Reform Update - 12/23/2009

Senate Democrat and Republican leaders struck a deal yesterday that would allow for an accelerated timetable leading to the final Senate vote on the Health Care Reform Bill. The Senate will hold the final vote on the bill on Christmas Eve at 8 AM EST. This will be the first December 24th session since 1963. The final vote requires only a majority (51 votes) to pass.

The Senate and House Conference to combine the Health Care Reform Bill will begin in January. The initial goal of Democratic Congressional leaders was to have the bill ready for President Obama’s signature before his first State of the Union Address. However, it is likely that it will take longer to complete the merged bill. Politico reports, “Officials at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue hope to avoid a formal conference -- appointing conferees requires a series of votes. Some House members want the formal process, but the differences are more likely to be hashed out among Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi, [Senate Majority Leader Harry] Reid and the White House, with some personal involvement by the President. Then Congressional Budget Office scoring could take seven to 10 days" before the merged bill is complete (Allen, 12/23).

In the event that the Health Care Reform Bill goes before the formal Conference Committee,
Arkansas Community Health Centers have a strong voice of support on the committee in Representative Marion Berry.