Health Care Reform Process Begins in the Senate
The Senate will begin debating health care reform legislation this week. Numerous amendments are expected to be introduced. Each will require 60 votes to pass, a high threshold for inclusion. There may be alerts in the next couple of weeks about the amendments. We anticipate the final vote on the Senate bill in the third week of December, with a conference committee between the House and the Senate versions to take place in January.
NASW Pens Letter to Senator Reid on Health Care Reform
NASW has written a letter to Majority Leader Reid about health care reform. The letter thanks the Senator for introducing the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” NASW noted that it provides more affordable, quality coverage for millions more Americans, calls for shared responsibility by individuals, employers and government, and expands health insurance coverage choices, including being able to retain one’s current coverage, having additional private plan options, and offers in some states a public health insurance option designed to lower costs and keep insurance companies accountable. You can view the full letter on the NASW Web site.
Rally for Reproductive Health Care on December 2
NASW is joining with other organizations to promote a rally and lobby day on reproductive health care in the health care reform legislation in Washington, DC. The day starts with a training on how to lobby at 9:00am, followed by a briefing at 9:30am. Lobby visits will occur between 10:30 and noon and 2:00 and 4:30pm. The rally is from 12:00-2:00pm. All events will take place in the Dirksen Auditorium. A lobby de-briefing and report back will begin at 4:30pm in the Rayburn Banquet Room, B369. If you plan to participate in the events, please let Dina Kastner know at advocacy@naswdc.org. If you cannot attend, but would like to send an e-mail to your Senators, please do so here.
