We heard rumblings during the recent two-week congressional recess that Capitol Hill staffers remained in Washington and busily worked away on major reform bills. Now, recess is over and we're seeing some movement.
Democratic senators say by June they will "markup" - meaning debate and propose - major healthcare reform legislation. That's just two months away... have you ever seen Congress move so quickly on healthcare reform?
Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) stated in a letter to President Obama they will work on similar healthcare bills in their respective committees in the Senate. Their pledge is similar to a letter drafted by three House committee chairmen to Obama earlier this year.
"Comprehensive health care reform legislation will responsibly contain costs, improve quality, enhance disease prevention, and provide coverage to all Americans," Baucus and Kennedy wrote. "We are committed to working with you, and with our colleagues in Congress, to enact legislation to achieve these long-overdue reforms without delay."
According to Alec Vachon's Health Notes (follow him on Twitter) - "OUR TAKE: No news (June mark ups expected); but public self-imposed deadline adds timing and reputational pressures!"