Senate Passed Healthcare Reform Bill

December 29, 2009

Now the House and Senate must merge the two bills

In a strictly partisan vote, the Senate passed their version of Healthcare Reform on Christmas Eve. Now comes the task of merging the two bills together for the President's signature. The differences between the two bills can be reviewed in this NAHU side-by-side comparison of the Senate and House versions.

In the December 28th NAHU Newswire, it is reported that the plan to close the Medicare prescription "doughnut hole" may have some snags. During the next two out of three years, Medicare beneficiaries will see a larger hole in coverage than they do today. Currently there is no forecast on what the government costs will be once the gap is fully closed.

Other articles of interest in the December 28th, 2009 Newswire include:

• Washington Post says illegal immigrants should be allowed to buy insurance.
• Medicare reimbursement rates for certain cardiology tests being drastically cut.
• Only FDA-approved drugs eligible for reimbursement under Part D plans.

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