WMC Community Action Network > Health Care Reform

Federal Health Care Legislation: No Floor Votes Until September

Numerous news stories recently reported that a small group of U.S. Senators, both Democrats and Republicans, are continuing to try to reach agreement on health care legislation in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, it isn't known whether the group will unveil an agreement before the U.S. Senate adjourns on August 7. In the U.S. House of Representatives, negotiations between House leaders and "Blue Dog" Democrats, that is, fiscally-conservative House Democrats, appeared to produce an agreement to advance H.R. 3200, with significant modifications. Floor action in both chambers is not anticipated before September.

Action Requested: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put together a comprehensive, easy-to-use health care toolkit. Please visit this website for background information, up-to-date information on the latest developments, and sample letters to Congress. The National Assocation of Manufacturers has taken similar action and has also posted excellent informaton and tools on their website.

Related Material:
Dem memo plots message war on insurers (TheHill.com)
Pelosi lashes out at private health insurance 'villains' (TheHill.com)
Less Washington, More Wisconsin (ThedaCare)
Obamacare in Retreat (Real Clear Politics)
Gingrich speaks at Gundersen, says health care reform good, reform bill bad (La Crosse Tribune)
Senate Democrats impatient with healthcare pace
Grassley Suggests Health-Care Debate Will Last Until Mid-November (The Washington Post)
Insurers Bristle at Tough Rhetoric But Stick to Reform Path (The Washington Post)
Dems vs. Dems (The Wall Street Journal)

Congressman Kagen Holds Townhall Meetings on Healthcare Reform

Congressman Steve Kagen has held a series of "townhall" meetings on federal healthcare reform. News reports chararacterized many of the attendees as "angry" and "hostile." In Green Bay, the event was repeatedly disrupted by shouting. Full details are provided in news stories, linked below.

After the Green Bay townhall meeting, the Democratic Party of Brown County put out a statement condemning those who disrupted the event and labeled them a "group of unruly radicals" who are trying to "garner negative media for themselves and try to intimidate Democrats, Independents and Republicans from having a legitimate debate on the merits of healthcare reform." In addition, a recently-leaked memo to the U.S. House Democratic Caucus from its leadership team assured members that Democratic leaders were "working in close coordination with the White House and outside groups (including but not limited to HCAN, Families USA, AFSCME, SEIU, AARP, etc.) to ensure complementary efforts during August. The President, Secretary Sebelius and other principals in the reform debate will be working throughout the month to hold events, promote the message in the press and move the reform effort forward. We are also working closely with supportive organizations to ensure they are implementing comprehensive plans for August that include grassroots efforts, media strategies and anything else that can add to the momentum. In addition, a list of groups supporting health reform has been provided to your offices with information."