Comprehensive Health Reforms Coming Up

Congressional activity has heightened on comprehensive health reform. The various committees - Finance, Pension and Labor, Health, Congress have started making efforts toward drafting comprehensive health reform legislation.  There is a united Democratic effort to pass legislation based on President Elect Barack Obama’s health care plan.

Based on the plan, health care would be expanded to include more US citizens. There have been roundtable talks involving Democratic lawmakers, but meetings with Republicans would begin soon.  There is emphasis on a “One Bill” approach which many feel is the best and perhaps the only way to do things.  Congress would likely work to ovehaul the health insurance/care business in the beginning of his office. The cost of Obama’s plan is likely to be about $60 bn. It is not about whether to pursue health reform any more but how to do so, people say.

Meanwhile committee members connected with SCHIP have met with child advocacy groups and are likely to expand SCHIP.