Legislative Update for Week of May 23, 2011
The Senate and House of Representatives are both in legislative session this week in the lead up to the Memorial Day holiday. The Senate will follow the holiday with a one week recess/constituent work week. Many Senators may be holding town-hall meetings where you can talk to them about any of the issues that may be concerning you right now. Information about these meetings is usually posted on Senators’ websites. Access to each Senator’s website is available at http://senate.gov/.
This week the House of Representatives is scheduled to consider one piece of health legislation, HR 1216. This bill would modify how funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers would be given from the system set up under the Affordable Care Act. The bill is expected to pass in the House but is unlikely to move in the Senate.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. The hearing is entitled “Expanding Health Care Options: Allowing Americans to Purchase Affordable Coverage Across State Lines.” Information on the hearing as well as testimony following the hearing will be posted at http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearings.
The Senate is not scheduled to vote on any specific health measures this week. Nonetheless, the Senate is expected to vote on two separate budget bills this week, the Paul Ryan Budget that passed the House in April and the President’s Budget that was submitted to Congress in February. Neither bill is likely to succeed.
The Senate Special Committee on Aging is scheduled to hold a hearing to examine meals, rides, and caregivers, focusing on the “Older American Act” on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Information on the hearing as well as the testimony and contents of the hearing will be posted at http://aging.senate.gov/.