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Federal Health Care Reform

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Information Update November 19, 2009

As Congress considers options for reforming the nation's health care system, opinions vary on which of these options would have the greatest potential for success. One of the primary goals is to design a system to reduce health care costs and improve access to care. In 2007, national health care expenditures reached $2.2 trillion and have been projected to reach $4.4 trillion by 2018. In addition, there were more than 43 million Americans without health coverage in 2008. Determining which of the elements of our current system should be changed and which should be expanded will be critical in moving forward.

Exactly how federal reforms will affect the states is the question NCSL will be asking. NCSL policy supports federal initiatives to explore a broad range of approaches and financing mechanisms to improve our health care system. States are a key stakeholder in this process of reform and will be responsible for implementing many of the changes that emerge from this debate. NCSL will be following the activities in Congress and providing legislators and legislative staff current information on the latest proposals, and how it may affect their states. 
 

New Developments 

NCSL Letters 

Information Highlights 

Congressional Proposals and Documents as of November 19, 2009  

Legislative Language

Supporting Documents

Chamber/ Committee of Origin

Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009, H.R. 3962 (2016 pg. pdf) Reports  U.S. House of Representatives
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  

Reports

U.S. Senate
America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009  Senate Committee on Finance Report Senate Committee on Finance

Affordable Health Choices Act, S1679

Detailed Summary From the Senate HELP Committee

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

 

  NCSL Resources

NCSL conference calls on Federal Health Care Reform for legislators and legislative staff. Presentations by Joy Johnson Wilson, NCSL Federal Affairs Counsel and Health Policy Director

November 13, 2009 (NEW)
(MP3 Audio Recording)

September 21, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

September 10, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

August 18, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

August 12, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

August 5, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording) 
Power Point Presentation -
Health Reform Update #4 

July 28, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording Failed ) 
Power Point Presentation -
Health Reform Update #3

July14, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

July 8, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)

June 23, 2009
(MP3 Audio Recording)    

 

 Additional Resources

NCSL staff contacts: Joy Johnson Wilson, Federal Affairs Counsel, Health Policy Director at joy.wilson@ncsl.org or Rachel B. Morgan RN, BSN, Senior Health Policy Specialist at rachel.morgan@ncsl.org.

 

Denver Office
Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800 | 7700 East First Place | Denver, CO 80230

 

Washington Office
Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069 | 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515 | Washington, D.C. 20001

©2009 National Conference of State Legislatures.  All Rights Reserved.