Legislation & Politics

Week Ending June 12, 2009

Key Senate Committee Releases Draft of Health Care Reform Legislation

This week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released Congress's first draft of health care reform legislation.  The draft bill has many positive provisions, including prohibiting insurance companies from imposing preexisting condition exclusions; accepting every individual and employer that applies for coverage; limiting bases upon which premium rates may vary; providing incentives for improving health care quality; allowing individuals to keep their existing policies; establishing "Gateways" to facilitate purchasing of health insurance; providing subsidies for low-income individuals and families; expanding Medicaid eligibility to 150% of federal poverty level; establishing a national voluntary long-term care insurance program; and including many provisions that would support and strengthen the health care workforce.  Two important items have not yet been drafted into the HELP bill but AFSCME is pushing hard for their inclusion:  a public health insurance plan option and a requirement that employers contribute to health care coverage either by covering their employees or by contributing into a fund that the uninsured can access.  The HELP Committee is scheduled to begin its final bill writing, or "mark-up," on Tuesday, June 16.  

AFSCME Sponsors Congressional Briefing Against Taxing Health Care Benefits

On Thursday, AFSCME and the Communications Workers of America teamed up to present a briefing for congressional staff on the arguments against taxing health care benefits.  An expert panel provided research on how taxing benefits would hurt ordinary families and presented ideas for alternative ways to fund health care reform, including rolling back tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy that Congress and the Bush administration enacted in 2001 and 2003.  

Hectic Schedule for Senate and House to Complete Their Health Care Reform Bills before the August Recess

The next two months will be a sprint to the finish line for both houses of Congress to pass their versions of health care reform legislation before the August recess.   In addition to the HELP Committee mark-up on June 16, the Senate Finance Committee will likely have its bill language available on or around June 19, and it will begin its mark-up the following week.  The House is expected to begin its subcommittee mark-ups in the three committees of jurisdiction during the week of July 6, with full committee mark-ups the following week.  If the Senate and House keep to these schedules, they will have floor votes on health care reform before they break for the August recess. 

House Holds Hearing on Paid Family and Medical Leave and Paid Sick Days Bills

On Thursday, the House Education and Labor Committee's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the Health Families Act (H.R. 2460) and the Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions (FIRST) ACT (H.R. 2339).  H.R. 2460 would guarantee workers up to seven paid sick days a year, accrued at a rate of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.  Paid sick leave could be used to recover from short-term illness, to care for a sick family member, for routine medical care or to seek assistance related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.  The FIRST Act would provide federal grant money to fund state efforts to provide paid leave to workers for the birth or adoption of a child, to recover from serious illness or to care for a seriously ill family member.  

House Panel Approves Vote by Mail Legislation

The Committee on House Administration approved legislation that would allow eligible Americans to vote by mail in presidential and congressional elections.  The legislation (H.R. 1604) was approved by a 4-2 party-line vote on June 10 with Democrats supporting the measure.  H.R. 1604 would remove additional restrictions such as notary signatures and doctor's note requirements in order to get an absentee ballot.

The committee also approved a measure (H.R. 2510) that would direct the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse states for costs associated with creating an absentee ballot tracking program for federal elections.  In addition, the committee approved legislation (H.R. 512) that would prohibit certain state election administration officials from actively participating in campaigns.  

Food and Drug Administration Regulation of Tobacco Products Soon to Be Law

By a vote of 79-17, the Senate passed legislation authorizing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the production, marketing and sale of tobacco products.  The House first passed its bill (H.R. 1256) in April, by a vote of 298-112.  The Senate version (S. 982), which is very similar to the House bill, is expected to be passed by the House and sent to the President to become law shortly.  

Sotomayor Hearings Scheduled

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced this week that the committee will begin its confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on July 13.  Despite tactics by Senate Republicans to delay the hearings, Senate leadership has agreed to respect President Obama's request that Sotomayor be confirmed before the Senate begins its summer recess on August 7.  

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