DeParle: Health Reform Will Become Law This Year

WASHINGTON–Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House
Office for Health Reform, told thousands of AARP members Tuesday
that she is confident a bill to revamp the nation’s health
care system will be signed into law by President Obama this
year.

“I think we’re on the brink of enacting
comprehensive health reform at long last,” DeParle told AARP
members in a phone address. “There’s a lot of reason to
be optimistic about the momentum we have going
forward.”

During a two-hour conference this morning with about 30 invited
guests from all sectors of health care, DeParle reiterated her
belief that reform will not be delayed another year and said input
from all areas of health care was required as the reform plan is
hammered out.

“We will need all of you,” she said.

DeParle’s comments were echoed by efforts in Congress.
Last week, both the House and the Senate passed drafts of President
Obama’s $3.55 trillion budget for 2010, but with some changes
that could affect health reform. Obama’s budget plan called
for setting aside $316 billion to help pay the cost of a $634
billion health care reform plan. That reserve money would come from
increased taxes on the wealthy and cuts to both Medicare and
Medicaid. Both houses of Congress included the reserve fund in
their budget resolutions, but the decision on how to pay for
it would be made by committees.

When they return from Easter recess in mid-April, federal
legislators will also decide whether to employ reconciliation to
push along health care reform. The process allows committees with
jurisdiction over the issue, such as those overseeing taxes and
health care, to write legislation that would not be subject to
filibuster.

The House budget plan already includes the reconciliation
provision; the Senate’s does not. Including it would mean
that health care reform legislation could be passed in that
chamber, where Democrats hold 58 seats, with 51 votes. Passing a
measure without reconciliation would require 60 votes.

Although legislative work on health care reform and the budget
are on hold while Congress is in its two-week recess, HME
organizations and associations urged stakeholders to lobby their
members of Congress about the elimination of competitive bidding
and the 36-month oxygen rental cap while they are home.
Stakeholders are hoping those issues can be a part of the reform
legislation.