Step 5: House and Senate Bills Reconciled and Passed
(this step will be completed in the future)
Overview of the process
The House and Senate have passed different versions of a health care bill. Now, these bills will go through a process called "a conference," where they will reconcile the different pieces of legislation into one bill. That one bill will then go back to the House and to the Senate for final passage. If the legislation is modified in the next round of votes by the House of the Senate, the alternate body will then need to vote on the amended legislation (or a subsequent conference will need to be held). Alternatively, one body could amend the other one's bill and then pass it, sending it back to the first body for final passage.
After the conference process has finished, each body will vote on the final piece of legislation. The legislation will need a majority of support in each house to pass, and the final bill is subject to a filibuster in the Senate, which means 60 votes will be needed to cut off debate and proceed to a fair, majority vote on the legislation.
Where we are now
The House of Representatives passed their health care bill on Novermber 7th, 2009 with a vote of 220-215 (roll call, full bill). The bill has the choice of a public health insurance option, tax credits to make health care affordable, asks employers to pitch in their fair share, and covers 96% of Americans according to the CBO. This is the first time in our country's history that the House has passed a comprehensive health care bill. (You can find out how your Representative voted by clicking here.)
Two amendments were offered in the House, a Republican substitute amendment which failed to pass, 176-258 (roll call), and an amendment offered by Congressman Stupak (D-MI) which would prohibit any health care plan in the new Exchange from offering abortion coverage. The Stupak amendment passed, 240-194 (roll call).
Similarly, the Senate passed their health care bill on December 24th, 2009 with a vote of 60-39 (roll call, full bill). The bill lacks a public health insurance option, doesn't provide enough tax credits to make health care affordable, taxes health benefits to pay for reform, and doesn't ask employers to cover employees with good health insurance. It covers 94% of Americans according to the CBO.
Health Care for America Now, organizations we work with, health care experts and political luminaries, and thousands of grassroots supporters have sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, and President Obama outlined what crucial changes must be made before each house of Congress votes on a final bill, including making health care affordable to all and holding insurance companies accountable. You can find out more about these efforts and read and sign the letter at www.FinishReformRight.com.
Where we are going
The House and Senate bills are heading into "conference," where their differences will be worked out. It is likely that there won't be a formal conference. Instead, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama will work together to hash out differences. After a deal is struck, a final bill will be sent to either the House or Senate for amendment and final passage, then the bill will be sent to the other chamber for its approval.
If each house approves the final bill, it will then be sent to President Obama for his signature. We expect this step to be competed by late January or early February.
What You Can Do To Help
We will need all the tools in our arsenal to ensure the Health Care for America Now principles make it into the final, reconciled bill and that this bill passes both the House and the Senate. Our efforts are focused around our letter, which outlines what we need to see in a final bill. Here's how you can help:
- Sign the letter - Join national organizations, experts, and thousands of grassroots supporters. Sign the letter asking for changes and send it to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid.
- Forward the letter to friends - It's crucial that leaders in Congress and the President hear from as many people as possible about the changes that must be made.
- Donate to the campaign - We're raising monty to put an ad on the air pressuring Congress and the President to finish reform right and make the changes we need.
