The Power of A

Comprehensive health care reform, if enacted, will impact every aspect of American society.  For many associations, the impact will be more direct; as the debate progresses many medical, business, and consumer associations are working to ensure their voice is heard during the discussion.

The American Medical Association (AMA), the association for American doctors, yesterday issued a press release endorsing the House comprehensive health care bill, HR 3200 “America’s Affordable Health Care Choices”.  “The status quo is unacceptable,” said J. James Rohack, MD, president of AMA. “We support passage of H.R. 3200, and we look forward to additional constructive dialogue as the long process of passing a health reform bill continues.”  AMA’s annual meeting last month included a nationally-televised address by President Barack Obama thanking the medical community for its work on health care legislation and pledging to work with them on pressing issues, including medical liability reform.

On the insurance side of the debate, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a national association representing nearly 1,300 members providing health benefits to more than 200 million Americans, is voicing concerns from an insurance perspective.  Politico reported this morning that the association will begin an advertising campaign next week to “set the record straight about the industry’s support for reform and make sure the American people understand that there is a path to reform that does not include a government-run plan.”  AHIP was the organization in the 1990s that ran the “Harry and Louise” ads credited with helping defeat the Clinton health care proposal.

The actors portraying Harry and Louise will be reappearing on television next week, but it was announced yesterday that their new ads would be in support of the Senate HELP Committee bill.  The National Journal reported that yesterday the actors appeared at a press conference supporting the bill and their new ads, sponsored in part by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, will begin running this weekend.  The actors have appeared in ads in the past year sponsored by the American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association, and National Federation of Independent Business on various health care issues.

Many associations, such as Volunteers of America, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and numerous beverage associations, are providing their members’ valuable perspectives to the health care debate.  How is your association contributing to the health care reform debate?

Quick Hits (Senate)

The Senate Finance Committee failed to release a draft of their bill yesterday, but members are continuing to work out their disagreements over the weekend… CBO Director Elmendorf testified before the Budget Committee that the proposed health care legislation would not provide the promised long-term federal budget savings….will Elmendorf’s testimony kill health care reform?… Is the White House putting too much pressure on the Finance Committee?

Quick Hits (House)

The House Ways and Means Committee voted HR 3200 out of their committee a little after midnight last night.  Three Democrats voted with all committee Republicans against the bill… The Education and Labor Committee debated and adopted some amendments to HR 3200: expanding the definition of small business who can enter the exchange, including infant-care in the basic benefits package, and changing the deadline for prohibiting preexisting conditions to six months after the bill’s enactment.  The bill was passed this morning on a 26-22 vote.