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For the week ending May 5, 2006
Political Overview
The most notable issues at the State House this week include health care reform and genetically modified organisms (GMO). The conferees, leadership and the Administration have been meeting morning, noon and night trying to resolve last minutes technical changes and some major policy issues. The Governor has already stated that he will veto the GMO bill.
Finishing touches on the 2007 budget are being done. The budget conferees will meet on Monday to sign off on the conference committee report. Both bodies met late Friday in order to clear their calendar and will conduct “mock” sessions on Monday in order to move the calendar. The House and Senate plan to meet on Tuesday and adjourn the session that day.
In anticipation of a hotly debated election season, the General Assembly is moving toward an earlier than usual adjournment this year. Both the House and Senate leadership are determined to adjourn by the end of next week. One hallmark sign that the session is drawing to a close came this week as the Senate advanced the FY07 budget bill (H.881). After little debate, the Senate passed the bill on a voice vote. As a rule of thumb, it takes two weeks for the session to end after the Senate passes the budget bill. The Governor however, continues to threaten a veto of the budget if the college scholarship program is not included.
The two big issues remaining are the budget and health care reform. With approximately a week remaining in the session, frequent back door negotiations are taking place. Both legislative consultants, Dr. Kenneth Thorpe and Hans Kastensmith were in town this week to help assist the committee in the negotiations of H. 861 and the Common Sense Initiatives (S. 310) bills. Conference committees will meet on Monday to try and ensure adjournment takes place as soon as possible.
VAHHS Issues
Health Care Reform
H. 861 & S. 310
The Health Care Committee conferees finally signed the report at 3:15 p.m. today after days of saying “today is the day. “ The theatrics of the week was weary for all involved. The conferees and the Administration have met nonstop to iron on the final remaining pieces of controversy.
As indicated previously, the conferees included many sections of the Common Sense Initiatives bill into H. 861. Sections not moved to H. 861, will be shifted to the budget bill.
The Administration is recommending a phase in of the employer assessment and raised concerns about the inflation factor included in the Catamount cost projections. With respect to the employer assessment, the legislators agreed to a phase in, granting 8 FTE exemptions for the first two years of Catamount, then 6 FTE exemptions for next year, before going down to the 4 FTE exemptions in year 4 and thereafter. As for the financial projections on the rate of growth, the legislators agreed to move from a 4.5 to 6% growth trend rate.
The committee also adds language to conduct a study prior to implementation on the impact of seasonal employees on the employer assessment.
The process is final approval by the full House and Senate before moving to the Governor for his action. To view a copy of the conference committee report follow this link: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/HealthCare/h861CommofConf1-8.htm.
H. 890
The Senate passed H. 890 on the floor. Amendments were offered to include humane societies as part of the local and state planning. The House will likely concur with the Senate proposal of amendment because of the limited time left in the session.
H. 227
The Senate passed H. 227 on the floor this week. VAHHS and the labor unions were able to agree to the House-passed version of the bill. Section 1 of the bill adds a requirement that Act 53 public report cards will include information on
S. 90 – An Act Relating to Prescription Drugs and Substance Abuse
The Senate concurred with the House proposal of amendment. This bill now goes to the Governor for his action.