Federal health reform on front burner in Congress

Congressional leaders are giving every indication they are dead serious about enacting conprehensive health reform later this year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in an April 27 letter to the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, made his intentions very clear: "Make no mistake - we are determined to reform health care this year. Our strong preference is to do so by working alongside you and your caucus. The health of our citizens and our economy are at stake; neither will be able to recover if we do not."

But Reid and Senate Democrats also are pressing ahead with a provision in the Budget Resolution that gives the Senate authority to enact health reform as part of the 2009-10 budget, which can be passed with a simple majority of 51 votes.

Reid has promised not to use this authority before October 15. Between now and then, Reid and his Democratic colleagues will attempt to enact health reform according to the regular order, which often requires 60 votes, and will reach out to Republican members for support.

However, if that approach fails, Reid has indicated by his letter to McConnell that he will press ahead for passage of health reform within the budget, which requires only 51 votes.

Hearings on reform began April 21 in the Finance Committee under chairman Max Baucus, senator from Montana. Baucus and his Republican counterpart, Charles Grassley from Iowa, have pledged to lead the Committee in preparing a bipartisan plan.

Meanwhile in the House, hearings on health reform are scheduled for June in the Ways and Means Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Education and Labaor Committee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked these three key committees to produce a consensus bill that can be debated and voted by the entire House before the August recess.

If all goes according to plan, comprehensive legislation will be ready for final House and Senate votes by early October.

Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania's Republican senator, has long been a leader in the Senate on health care issues. Specter is expected to play a pivotal role in the effort to achieve a bipartisan bill.