Despite Loss in Massachusetts, Democrats Try to Keep Health Care Reform on Table

On Tuesday, January 19, Republican Scott Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley to win the Massachusetts special election for the late Senator Edward Kennedy’s seat, making the balance of power in the Senate 41 Republicans to 59 Democrats.  Democrats no longer have a filibuster-proof majority, which has brought up questions as to how they will move forward with the health care overhaul legislation that has engulfed Congress for the past several months. 

Congress will not take up the health care legislation until Scott Brown has been seated in the Senate, leaving democratic leadership with few options for passing a health care reform bill.  One possible option is the House taking up and passing the Senate-passed bill, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act”.  However, Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated today, that at this time, the House does not have the votes to pass the Senate bill.  The main obstacle in the way of passing the “Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act” is strong opposition in the House to the proposed excise tax on high-cost plans, which many representatives view as an unnecessary tax on the middle-class.  NAPO has been actively opposing this excise tax because it would adversely affect many of our members.  

Another option is the House and Senate taking politically popular provisions from both the House and Senate bills and passing a much smaller heath care legislation that would garner support from moderate Republicans.  It is uncertain, though, whether a smaller bill would be able to gain any republican support.  The pared-down legislation would most likely focus on curbing insurance company practices like denying coverage to sick people and on helping low-income workers and small businesses afford coverage.  

NAPO remains actively opposed to any attempt by the House to pass the Senate bill, which includes the detrimental 40 percent excise tax on high-cost insurance plans.  NAPO continues to push lawmakers to drop the excise tax as a way to pay for health care reform.  We will keep you informed on the status of the health care overhaul, particularly the excise tax.  Please visit NAPO’s website, www.napo.org, for more information on NAPO’s fight against the excise tax.