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Washington Reports: This week’s news on Healthcare Reform and Health Information Technology

By Kevin Fickenscher, MD

Washington Reports: November 16, 2009

• Quote of the Week
   “The President could take a few pages from Lyndon Johnson’s book … and start knocking heads together.”

  Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) offering unsolicited advice Monday to President Obama on how to handle the fight over healthcare reform.

  "The point I want to make is: just pass the bill, even if it's not exactly what you want … When you try and fail, the other guys write history.”

  Former President Bill Clinton – speaking to Senate Democrats at the weekly Tuesday lunch and encouraging them to pass healthcare reform.

  
  
• The Aftermath
  In the wake of last weekend’s vote by the House of Representatives, many are still feeling a harsh backlash from activists.
  
• The Yogi Berra Truism Rings True!!
  With the healthcare debate over in the House, many are concerned that having the Senate pass such a bill will prove to be a much more difficult task.
  
• Harry Reid’s Hurdles
  Senate Democrats must convince key colleagues to join them in voting for the final Senate healthcare bill.  So, who stands where?  What are their concerns?  Will they block the effort? 
  
• Clinton Gives a Pep Talk
  Former President Bill Clinton appeared on Capitol Hill Tuesday to speak with Senate Democrats. Is Clinton trying to avoid history repeating itself?
  
• The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
  The good, the bad, and the ugly of politics continue…
  
• Some Closing Thoughts…

Washington Reports: November 09, 2009

• An Update on the Report
  Postings of the Weekly Washington Report now available on the Web.
  
• “We Get By With A Little Help from Our Friends”
  In a rare Saturday vote, the House passed their healthcare reform bill as a result of some key developments this week from a few friends.
  
• Election '09
  Tuesday’s election saw big wins for the Republican Party in Virginia and New Jersey. What are the implications for healthcare reform?
  
• Republicans Propose a Bill with a Side of Tea
  This week saw the re-emergence of Republicans in the healthcare debate. What effect does the GOP still have in the reform efforts in Congress?
  
• Next Steps?
  What are the next steps in the journey to the passage of healthcare reform?
  
• Are We Doing Enough?
  While Congress is making significant changes to our country’s healthcare, many analysts in Washington are concerned the efforts are not going far enough.
  
• The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
  The Continuing Saga of American Politics…
  

Washington Reports: November 03, 2009

• Quote(s) of the Week
• Happy Birthday to the Internet
  The birth of the Internet heralded a revolution that continues to unfold in our daily lives.
  
• A Healthcare Rough Draft
  The US House released the Affordable Health Care for America Act on Thursday. While the final bill will no doubt change, the directions are becoming clearer.
  
• The Moderates Expand the Middle, Preparing to Take Back Center Stage
  With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announcing his plan to put forward a public option, the moderates respond.  At the forefront – Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT).
  
• The Road to Final Passage
  Let’s examine the steps required for the Reid team to pass a healthcare reform package.
  
• HIT Policy Committee Meeting
• The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly of Politics Continues…
• And, The Rest of the World?
  I’ve just returned from a visit overseas.  At times, it is useful to step back from the issues of the day – in Washington, DC – to consider the focus of other places.  Here’s a few thoughts...
  

Washington Reports: October 26, 2009

• So, Let’s Start with the Important Stuff…
  H1N1 is gripping the nation.  Don’t panic – get your flu shot!!
  
• Is the Public Option A Ghost, A Goblin, A Vampire or The Real Thing?
  The public option appears to be back from the dead, but what will it look like?
  
• It’s Not Dark, But The Oval Office Has Been Mighty Quiet – On Healthcare Reform
  After months of serving as the face of healthcare reform, President Obama backed away from the latest round of negotiations.
  
• Elsewhere on Capitol Hill: The Doc Fix and Antitrust Reform
  Equally as important measures, the doc fix and antitrust reform efforts played a major role in healthcare reform this week.
  
• Politics – with a Capital “P” – Comes to the Fore, Again…
  The good, the bad, and the ugly of politics continues…
  
• Questions and Answers
  One basic question still remain unanswered – “What is the (Senate)Committee planning on clinicians participation and adoption for CPOE to ensure a paradigm shift to 100 percent Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in the USA?”
  
• A Closing Thought…

Washington Reports: October 19, 2009

• Before I Get Started/Quote of the Week
• It’s Snowe-ing in The District
  This week, the Senate Finance Committee passed their healthcare reform bill with the help of Republican Senator Olympia Snowe. What does this mean for the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill?
  
• Are Democrats Singing a New Tune?
  With the Senate Finance debate out of the way, what lies ahead for Congressional Democrats? Have they been changing their tune?  Can they play nice together?
  
• Remembering Harry and Louise
  In a surprise attack on Monday, the health insurance industry released a scathing report on the Senate Finance Committee bill.  Will this hurt the ongoing efforts?
  
• Will the Doctor’s Hang in There?
  Where are the doctors in the whole debate?  What do they want?  Will they get it?
  
• The House Goes on a Diet – Are We at the Crossroads or the Divide?
  The Speaker prepares to answer the call of the Senate Finance Committee with a set of options designed to meet needs in the House and fulfill long sought promises.  What are the implications?
  
• And the New Players Are?
  With the passage of a reform package by all of the Senate and House Committees, the action now moves to the floor for both groups.  Who are the new players?  What impact will they have the healthcare reform debate?
  
• Politics – with a Capital “P” – Comes to the Fore, Again…
  The good, the bad, and the ugly of politics in continues…
  
• HIT Standards Committee Meeting
  On the more mundane – but just as important – side of healthcare reform, critical issues are being debated…
  
• The Occasional Random Thought…
  Every once in awhile, my mind drifts to other topics that relate to but are separate from the news in .  I’ll keep my comments brief and, hopefully, on target. If not, I’m sure you’ll let me know…
  

Washington Reports: October 12, 2009

• CBO Scores One for Senate Finance Committee
  The Congressional Budget Office released their score on the Senate Finance Committee’s healthcare bill. How will the score impact the ongoing debate?
  
• Are We Going Far Enough, Fast Enough?
  With all of the focus on insurance, many are becoming increasingly critical of whether or not “reform” has been lost in the debate.  Does the Senate bill do enough?
  
• Are Any Good Ideas Out There?
  What are the pundits saying?  What about this “laboratories of democracy” thing?  Are there any themes emerging?
  
• Politics (that’s with a capital “P”) Comes to the Fore
  The good, the bad, and the ugly of politics in America continues.
  
• What’s Next?
  A look at the week ahead in healthcare reform.
  
• Quote of the Week

Washington Reports: October 05, 2009

• The Moderates Seize Control!!
  The Senate Finance Committee rejected two separate proposals for creating a publicly funded health insurance option as part of their healthcare reform bill. What are the implications?  What are the Committee’s objectives?
  
• Further Senate Finance Developments and the Shift of Center Stage
  The Senate Finance Committee finalized their package in the wee hours Friday morning.  Other changes, aside from the public option, are now moving forward, and Senator Harry Reid takes center stage.
  
• Keeping It All in Perspective
  As Senator Dirksen (R-IL) observed many years ago, “A million here, a million there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.”  So, now we’re talking billions!
  
• What’s Happening Outside the Senate?
  Not to be forgotten, the House awaits a discussion with the Senate. 
  
• Polls, Polls, Polls: Where does the public really stand?
  Every week, new data is released discussing public opinion of the ongoing healthcare debate. But can we really trust these polls?
  
• HHS To Release Health IT Funding
  The Department of Health and Human Services announced new health IT grants.
  
• Fall is in the Air
• Quote(s) of the Week

Washington Reports: September 28, 2009

• Oh, By the Way, Mr. President – Are We Doing Too Much?
  How many initiatives can Obama take on?  Are there healthcare reform implications?
  
• The Tortoise and the Hare
  With other healthcare plans moving rapidly through Congress, the Baucus Bill this week began the arduous markup process within the Senate Finance Committee. Will this “slow and steady” approach win the race?
  
• All Hands on Deck
  This week, Vice President Joe Biden emerged as chief spokesman for the Administration on the healthcare debate. Does this signal a change in the President’s efforts?  Does it suggest a new direction for Administration strategy?
  
• And Onto the House
  Much attention has been paid to what is happening in the Senate over healthcare … so where does the House stand in the debate?
  
• Want to Compare the Healthcare Plans?
  Juggling all the various healthcare plans around DC can be confusing. Check out the Kaiser Family Foundation’s great chart that explains all the differences.
  
• Quote of the Week
  In a new section of the report, I will include a memorable line from the past week in healthcare.
  

Washington Reports: September 21, 2009

• Dell to Acquire Perot Systems for $3.9 Billion, Creating Comprehensive, Customer-Focused IT-Solutions Company
• Senator Baucus Steps Out
  Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) released his much-anticipated healthcare bill…finally.  What was the reaction? How does it stack up against President Obama’s plan? Where are we headed?  What does it portend?
  
• This Week's Forecast on Capitol Hill: A Chance of Snowe in Early September
  With the Baucus bill released much attention is now being focused on moderate Republican Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to provide the last needed vote for passing the legislation. But will Snowe balk at supporting such a plan?
  
• So Dr. K, What’s Next?
  The healthcare bill has taken on many strange twists and turns. Let’s look ahead and see what’s next in the debate…
  
• So –What Derails Us?
  We are at a seminal point in the debate on healthcare and the next four months are crucial to the future of the United States…
  
• Update from the HIT Standards Committee
  An update from this week’s HIT Standards Committee in Washington…
  

Washington Reports: September 14, 2009

• And – The Response to the 090909 Obama Speech…
• The Spotlight Shifts to Baucus
• The Hill is Alive With the Sound of Music
• Blumenthal Book Review
• Questions from the Field
• Perot Systems Webinar to Provide Industry Perspective On Health Information Exchange

Washington Reports: September 07, 2009

• Is It Déjà Vu All Over Again with The 090909 Speech?
  Labor Day – September 7, 2009
  
• Will Obama Pull the Plug on Healthcare Reform’s Public Option?
• And, Across the Pond…
• Speaking of Releases – Clarification on “Meaningful Use” To Come Soon
• CCHIT Town Hall
• Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Three Years Later
• Follow On Questions and Updates

Washington Reports: August 30, 2009

• A Lion Sleeps Tonight
• GOP Healthcare Reform Principles Outlined
• The Aggressive Timeline to Meaningful Use
• What’s Black and White and Red All Over? Of Course, The Federal Deficit!!
• John Hummel’s White Paper
• The Heart of Power

Washington Reports: August 24, 2009

• A Growing Snowball Despite the Heat of August – What’s That All About?
• Efforts to Melt the Growing Snowball.
• The Co-Op Movement.
• In Politics Things Always Seem to Come Full Circle.
• Beyond Politics: New Support Announced for Regional Technology Initiatives and Health Information Exchange Networks.
• Interim Final Rule related to Breach Notifications.
• What the Polls are Saying.

Washington Reports: August 18, 2009

• The Health Reform Debate
• Recent News - New York Times Article
• Meaningful Use
• What the Polls are Saying
• The Calendar