Congressional Leaders Seek Compromise in Health Care Legislation

Progress on approving the Health Care Legislation is hard to keep up with these days.  It seems that every day, some new wrinkle appears.  As of this writing the best information is as follows (source: Catholic Charities USA)

On January 19, Scott Brown (R) defeated Martha Coakley (D) for the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by Edward M. Kennedy for more than 45 years.  As a result of the election, the Democrats lost their super-majority in the Senate with Republicans now holding 41 of the 100 seats.  Because the Senate requires 60 votes to clear the procedural hurdle known as the filibuster, Democrats face significant challenges passing a final health care package.

One option being discussed would be for the House to pass the Senate health care bill with no changes.  However, on January 21, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that she did not have the votes to clear the Senate-passed bill.  Another option is to include elements of health care reform in an expedited budget process known as reconciliation which requires a simple majority to pass in the Senate.

 Key negotiators are working to blend the House and Senate-passed versions of health care reform legislation.  In place of a traditional conference committee, Congressional leadership is working to bring a compromise package to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote later this month.

More details on a final compromise package are expected this week.

Catholic Charities USA will continue to work with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic Health Association to ensure that no federal funds are used for abortion and that conscience protections are included in the final health care reform bill.  Catholic Charities USA will keep you updated on health care reform.