Sen. Max Baucus Holds a Markup On Health Care Reform, Part 4

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Sen. Max Baucus Holds a Markup On Health Care Reform, Part 4

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE HOLDS A MARKUP ON HEALTH CARE REFORM, PART 4

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

SPEAKERS: SEN. MAX BAUCUS, D-MONT. CHAIRMAN SEN. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, D-W.VA. SEN. KENT CONRAD, D-N.D. SEN. JEFF BINGAMAN, D-N.M. SEN. JOHN KERRY, D-MASS. SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN, D-ARK. SEN. RON WYDEN, D-ORE. SEN. CHARLES E. SCHUMER, D-N.Y. SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW, D-MICH. SEN. MARIA CANTWELL, D-WASH. SEN. BILL NELSON, D-FLA. SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ, D-N.J. SEN. THOMAS R. CARPER, D-DEL.

SEN. CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, R-IOWA RANKING MEMBER SEN. ORRIN G. HATCH, R-UTAH SEN. OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, R-MAINE SEN. JON KYL, R-ARIZ. SEN. JIM BUNNING, R-KY. SEN. MICHAEL D. CRAPO, R-IDAHO SEN. PAT ROBERTS, R-KAN. SEN. JOHN ENSIGN, R-NEV. SEN. MICHAEL B. ENZI, R-WYO. SEN. JOHN CORNYN, R-TEXAS

[*] BAUCUS: The committee will come to order. (inaudible) announcements. When we left yesterday evening, I announced that we vote on them, Grassley gives the amendment all side by side on that same subject. Over the evening, there's been further discussion between senators from both sides, including Senator Grassley and myself. We are trying to work out and we have, in principal worked out an agreement. We are writing up that language now. I hope to get that, Senator Grassley amendment, and I think it will be agreed to on both sides. It is basically addressing the allocation of dollars under Medicare to doctors, under gypsy as the geographic disparities in terms of cost of living in different parts of the country.

It is very important obviously to certain parts of the country. We feel that the formula works very much to their disadvantage, and of course those other parts of the country don't want any significant reductions to dollars that already go to those areas. So we will work that out and hope to bring that up soon.

Next, there was some discussion that perhaps this morning we take up, public option amendment; there are a couple of public option amendments. It is also somewhat related to the co-op revision that is in the bill. Further discussion, we have decided that we are going to try and work out in combinations, on how we vote on them, and how we deal with them, and so it brings up public option amendments when we get back, that is after we, next week. Because Monday is a holiday, when we adjourn today, we will not go back into session until Tuesday morning.

And sometime Tuesday, I expect and hope that earlier rather than later on Tuesday, we will bring out the public option amendment. I wanted to take that up soon. It is an extremely important amendment, but I also want to do the best we can, and we as a committee want to do the best we can to work out a series of the order in which amendments are offered and what nature of public option amendments in the most expeditious way. We think it takes -- we don't have time today to do all that. We are going to bring it up when we get back Tuesday. This will not be a long session today. We will recess today about noon today, and not come back until Tuesday morning next week. I expect to go into session about 9:30 next Tuesday morning.

First amendment now will be...

ROBERTS: Mr. Chairman, a question if I might sir.

BAUCUS: Senator Roberts, absolutely.

ROBERTS: There are five CER amendments by Mr. Kyl and myself. We would like very much to have them considered at the same time so that we could have some continuity, and I'll just. We are looking for something on Tuesday morning...

BAUCUS: I'm just curious if there are five amendments between the two of you. Is there any thought maybe you can combine. Well, there were 10 and we got it down to 5. We had another five that there was some bellowing in there, and we thought that was not permissible. So I'm just giving you a hard time. Happy Friday Mr. Chairman. There are five, and we can talk about that on Tuesday. I just thought it will be a good time Tuesday morning, if there was some time there where there will be some continuity to it. I think it will be helpful rather than bouncing around.

BAUCUS: Again, I don't know if you're serious or not but if there is any way to combine those five.

ROBERTS: I'm always serious of intent sir, but five are important.

BAUCUS: How are you feeling this morning?

ROBERTS: Feeling pretty good.

BAUCUS: OK. First amendment is made of by Senator Ensign.

ENSIGN: Good morning Mr. Chairman. My amendment, I believe, is an important amendment, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, simply on the idea that the Congress once again hearkening back to the constitution, we have a...

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