| October 5, 2009 Project 2020 Legislative Update Tomorrow, the Senate Finance Committee is due to hold a final vote on the health care reform legislation it has been considering and amending for the past two weeks. We fully expected Project 2020 (S. 1257/H.R. 2852), as represented by the Cantwell amendments C-3 through C-8, to be considered during this process. However, due to broader political and procedural issues, the Project 2020 amendments and dozens like them were not brought to a vote. Senator Cantwell made a strategic decision that the 2020 amendments would ultimately fare better if offered during floor consideration of the bill and she is committed to offering a Project 2020 (S. 1257) amendment during that process. Timing The Senate Finance Committee proposal is already being merged with the Senate HELP Committee's bill from earlier this year to create the unified Senate health reform bill that may come to the floor as early as late this week. Senate leadership must also acquire a Congressional Budget Office score on the cost of the new combined bill before bringing it to the floor. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's goal is to begin debate by October 13, when Congress returns from the Columbus Day holiday. That debate is likely to last for at least two weeks. The House of Representatives also needs to bring its own health care reform bill to the floor for a vote, but it is unclear if this will occur simultaneously with or after the Senate process. We continue to work to advance a House floor amendment, as well. n4a and NASUA will be sure to let you know when and how your advocacy is needed in the next few weeks. The success of Project 2020 this year now rests on how many Members of Congress we can get to support its inclusion in health reform, so rest assured—we will need your advocacy! Stay tuned. |
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| National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) |
Monday, October 5, 2009
FW: Project 2020 Legislative Update
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