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.