The Power of A

As the certainty of a comprehensive health care bill is being questioned by Congress and the media (subscription), the Obama Administration has become increasingly active in pushing Congress to pass legislation this year.

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, urging Congress to send President Obama health care legislation that does not increase the federal deficit.  The President himself will address the issue head-on by holding a televised town-hall meeting tonight at 10 PM.  On Tuesday Dr. Christine Roemer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on the economic benefits of comprehensive reform.  And last night, Politico reported that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Sebelius met privately with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) to discuss health care reform.

On Capitol Hill, both chambers are mired in the details of their separate health care proposals.  The Senate Finance Committee has begun trimming the cost of their bill to bring the total cost under $1 trillion, primarily by scaling back the subsidies to assist people with purchasing health care.  The three House committees of jurisdiction are all holding hearings this week on the “Tri-Com” health care bill.  A wide variety of associations are participating in the hearings, including the American Benefits Council, AARP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Nurses Associations, Federation of American Hospitals, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and American Medical Association.

Quick Hits

ASAE chart on the three Democratic health care proposals….  Hospital associations working with Congress to reduce health care costs (subscription)… Many DC-area nonprofits have low budget reserves… Washington Post-ABC poll on health care finds mixed views on comprehensive reform