Health Reform Cost Pressures Grows -- New Focus on drafts before August recess

The health care reform debate is facing new cost related concerns on both sides of the Capitol. Based on progress last, the House might have a draft of health reform legislation today. This comes as pressures grows based on concerns expressed by Blue Dogs (the fiscally conservative Democratic coalition) in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Last week the Speaker herself called for more focus on cost savings in a public announcement as well as meetings with the committees leading House efforts.

The three committee chairman that are working this are Energy and Commerce’s Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., Way and Means’ Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y., and Education and Labor’s George Miller. Pelosi has pledged that the House won’t leave for the August recess without passing a health care overhaul bill, but clearly significant challenges remain on the House side. The Senate side faces even greater challenges in moving a bill forward before the August 7th recess. Key issues of contention remain a potential public plan option and proposals to pay for health reform that include taxing health benefits. Like the House side there are new calls to consider less costly health reform efforts. The next few weeks may end up determining the scope of health reform legislation considered this year.