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For the week ending April 21, 2006
Political Overview
With both bodies passing their major health care bills last week, it has been eerily quiet at the State House. Most of the activity is occurring behind the scenes and in conference committee.
One House Republican clearly stated the latest controversy that has finally broken the camel’s back. Rules of the House prohibit committees from meeting while the House is in session, unless the House votes to give a committee permission to meet. The Appropriations Committee is frequently off the floor, especially while it is working on the appropriations bill. Occasionally, another committee may have good reason to meet while the House is meeting. This year that privilege has been abused. As stated by the highly respected Republican House member “Democratic leadership, then moved to allow six of the fourteen House committees to meet while the House is in session. Further, the motion was not just for one day, but for the remainder of the year. These six committees have a total of 63 members.” As it is the House has been having attaining a quorum on a number of days and it is not unusual to hear the quorum bell ring 3 o 4 times a week. The point the House member was trying to make is there is no balance and no inclusiveness in the decision-making. Many view this as an abuse of power.
The Senate calendar had been growing over the past few weeks as action was put off on a wide variety of issues to give committees time to consider bills and make recommendations to the full Senate. The Senate is now trying to catch up with the backlog. Conference committees, assigned to work out differences between the House and Senate on bills, have begun meeting on some bills. The real push toward adjournment will come when the Senate debates its version of the state budget, which will happen next week.
VAHHS Issues
Health Care Reform
H. 861
This week most of the health care debate was done by “letter” war between the Administration and the Legislature. The debate comes down to different philosophies on how to provide health care to Vermonters and how to pay for it.
Both bodies have now finished their work on their versions of their health care bill. On Wednesday the House Health Care Committee voted to not concur to the Senate proposal of amendment. The House appointed its member to the conference committee. They are: rep John Tracy, D-Chittenden; Rep. Harry Chen, D-Mendon, and Rep. Topper McFaun,
The Senate and House feel that the two bills are fairly close and that an agreement between the two bodies will take fairly quickly. Areas to be addressed include: employer sponsored insurance and the level of the benefits being offered through Catamount Health.
The Administration has voiced its concern numerous times this week. Areas of disagreement for the Administration include: employer assessment, sustainability of funding of the program overtime, and the offering of Catamount Health on the private market.
The conference committee will begin meeting early next week.
S. 310 - Common Sense Initiatives
The Senate Health &Welfare Committee reviewed the House proposal of amendment to S. 310 this week and voted to not concur with the House. The Senate appointed their members to the conference committee and they include: Sen. Jeannette White, D-Windham; Sen. James Leddy, D-Chittenden; and Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland. The House will appoint its members early next week.
H. 890 – An Act Relating to Emergency Management and Public Safety
The House passed on a voice vote H. 890 Thursday afternoon. This bill offers greater protection for volunteers and clarifies language in current statute. The bill has been sent to the Senate. With the session nearing an end, timing could be an issue for this bill.
House Human Services
House Human Services continues to take testimony on S. 90, the prescription drug monitoring bill. The bill creates an electronic database that will be maintained by the Vermont Department of Health that would include the names and addresses of Vermonters who buy narcotics and other addictive substances. The bill grants physicians automatic access to the electronic list to check who else is prescribing their patients medication. Under certain circumstances records could also be turned over to police who are investigating drug dealing. The committee plans to vote the bill out today.
S. 198 – An Act Relating to the “Sorry Works” Program
The House passed on a voice vote to amend S.198 as recommended by the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Michael Kainen spoke on behalf of the committee. He noted that VAHHS, The Vermont Medical Society, and Plaintiffs' attorneys all came to an agreement on this bill. The bill allows for the doctor/hospital to come forward within 30 days to state "I am sorry" and that this admission can't be used against them. The bill also requests the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration to work with the insurance companies in order to get them on board.
Senate Appropriations
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted out the 2007 Appropriations Bill late Friday afternoon. Increased reimbursement to hospitals is tied to H. 861, the health reform bill. If this bill does not pass, hospitals increases are unlikely.