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Friday, October 9, 2009

Health Reform Update

After receiving a final “score” from the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a meeting to vote on the America’s Healthy Future Act on Tuesday, October 13. The bill will likely pass out of the Committee, then move into a conference between Finance and HELP Committee leadership to bring one single version of the bill for the Senate floor.

Given the controversial issues surrounding health reform from either side of the aisle, there will likely be considerable action on the Senate floor. Here are a few of the rural amendments that NRHA expects to be offered on the floor during debate:

S. 307 – Wyden – Allows flexibility in the CAH bed count
S. 1355 – Barasso/Wyden – Raises the RHC Cap to $92
S. 1171 – Pryor – Would waive the 35-mile rule for CAH designation

For copies of both Finance and HELP Committee bills, please see below:

Senate Finance Committee Links

Senate HELP Committee Bill (S.1679 – The Affordable Health Choices Act)

You may also click here to read the House's proposal (H.R. 3200: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009)