On Wednesday June 24, 10 – 11 pm ET, the ABC network will broadcast a White House event at which President Obama will answer questions on the topic of health care reform from audience members as well as some questions submitted online.
The nationally televised event, moderated by ABC’s Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer, is called “Questions for the President: Prescription for America.”
PHI’s Health Care for Health Care Workers campaign encourages you to be a part of this conversation by submitting a question at ABCnews.com.
We hope you will ask the President how he will ensure that America is prepared to care for its growing population of elders and people with disabilities. How will he ensure that direct-care workers, who provide valuable health care services to others, have access to quality, affordable coverage for themselves?
An economic analysis released last week by the Small Business Majority shows that health care reform will dramatically cut costs for small businesses, even if they are required to provide health insurance or pay into the system.
The study, conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Jonathan Gruber, shows that without reform, small businesses will just keep shedding jobs and profits as health benefit costs continue to skyrocket over the next ten years. The report compares that scenario with three other options for reform; each alternative models a different level of involvement from employers and a different level of tax credit, on a sliding scale, based on the size of the business. Continue reading ‘Analysis Shows Health Reform Will Cut Costs for Small Business’
Last week the Pennsylvania House brought up House Bill 1, a bill to expand the current adultBasic program to 85,000 uninsured adults who want and need access to affordable health insurance. The bill was debated in the full House and is awaiting final consideration and passage. Continue reading ‘Health Reform Moves in PA’
The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) released a poll this week finding that 83% of Americans favor and only 14% oppose “creating a new public health insurance plan that anyone can purchase.” These findings are significant mainly because of the source of the research. Continue reading ‘Poll Shows Strong Support for Public Health Insurance Option’
US Capitol
While things can change on a daily basis given the complexity and scale of this legislation, the current timetable for the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over health reform is now as follows.
June 16- June 30
Senate HELP Committee mark up: this is when the committee debates and finalizes specific provisions of the bill. Mark up on the coverage provisions are likely to begin Monday, June 22.
June 23-June 30
The Senate Finance Committee mark-up (this could slip to after the July 4 recess if they don’t get a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office).
June 19 to July 4
Release of House bill will happen sometime in this period, though it may not come until after the July 4 recess.
July 4- August 10
Bills move to the floor, where each chamber will vote on their bill.
August 10 through September 4
Conference committee meets to combine bills from House and Senate.
September through November
The final legislation comes out of conference committee and is voted on by each Chamber. A final bill goes to the President to sign before Thanksgiving.
Resources:
Carol Regan
Director
HCHCW
cregan@phinational.org
On Tuesday, June 23, PHI will join other members of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA), in a National Call-in Day to send a clear message to Congress that a strong eldercare workforce is essential to real health reform. As an advocate for quality long-term care, your Member of Congress needs to hear from you! Continue reading ‘Call Congress to Ensure Quality Healthcare for Older Adults’
On Wednesday June 24, 10 – 11 pm ET, the ABC network will broadcast a White House event at which President Obama will answer questions on the topic of health care reform from audience members as well as some questions submitted online.
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