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The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee recently released a draft of its health care reform legislation, "The Affordable Health Choices Act 2009," The legislative intent is to revise the current health care system to ensure health care coverage for all Americans. The Senate Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over the Medicare and Medicaid program, is expected to release its draft proposal soon.
While many details have yet to be ironed out, the legislation calls for a mandate for all individuals to obtain health care insurance, promote wellness and prevention, establishment of minimum federal requirements for health insurance coverage, and establishes reforms in the current markets including the creation of state and regional entities (gateways), by which individuals can compare and purchase insurance coverage. The HELP legislation will also address health care workforce issues by establishing a commission to address shortage issues. The HELP legislation is scheduled to begin consideration by the HELP committee this coming week.
A joint health care reform proposal is expected from the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees that would be considered later this month. The Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate have stated that they want to vote on health care reform prior to August recess.
ASHA continues to work with members of Congress to ensure that speech-language pathology and audiology issues, such as therapy caps, direct access to audiologists, fixing the conversion factor of the Medicare fee schedule, and comprehensive coverage of services are included in the debate. For further information, contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA’s Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, at 202-624-5951 or via e-mail at ilusis@asha.org.
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