Published on Alliance1 (http://alliance1.org)
In Historic Vote, Congress Passes Comprehensive Health Care Reform
The U.S. House of Representatives tonight, March 21, voted 219 to 212 to pass comprehensive health care reform.
The House approved legislation (H.R. 3590) passed by the Senate just before Christmas. The House also passed a second "corrections" bill (H.R. 4872) by a vote of 220 to 211.
The Senate is expected to take up the second bill within the next few days. Both bills are expected to be signed into law by President Barack Obama.
The Alliance for Children and Families and United Neighborhood Centers of America, both of which were cited by the White House last week for our support of comprehensive health care reform, applaud Congress for this historic action.
A few highlights of particular interest to Alliance and UNCA members include a dramatic expansion of the Medicaid program and the creation of a new entitlement for home visitation.
The legislation also provides funding for a new advisory commission on Medicaid rates called the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC).
We will provide additional details on the final package in the days ahead.
Source URL (retrieved on 1 pm GMT): http://alliance1.org/
About the Author
Katherine Astrich is senior vice president of public policy and mobilization for the Alliance and UNCA.
She previously worked as a consultant for The Lewin Group, a national health and human services consulting firm. She has advocated for Medicaid, early education, and workforce assistance programs that benefit vulnerable children and families.
Her expertise includes regulatory and information collection policy. She also has eight years of experience working for the Office of Management and Budget. ... more
About the Author
Cecilia Fiermonte is director of child welfare policy at the Alliance. An attorney, she previously was assistant director at the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, advocating for policy change and providing training and technical assistance.
She also previously:
- Supervised the child welfare program of the County Attorney's Office in Wyoming County, N.Y.
- Worked in research and evaluation at the Quality Improvement Center on the Representation of Children
- Represented children in family court matters ... more
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