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Round 1: Budget Passes both Houses of Congress

Posted by: Julia Eisman on Apr 03, 2009

Yesterday brought us one step closer to seeing meaningful health care reform. The House and the Senate each passed a budget resolution that included a commitment to providing coverage for all Americans. The overall focus of the budget was on health care, energy, and education - all issues that President Obama has made priorities in his administration. This is a good sign that Congress is serious about working with the President to pass his agenda, and an indication that we might see health reform this year. As Senator Baucus, Chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, said:

"The Senate vote tonight adds to the tremendous momentum in Congress for comprehensive health reform this year.... Health care reform is an investment in America's system that will reduce costs over time.  This budget recognizes that investment by allowing health reform to be paid for in the long run and that flexibility is essential to making health reform work."

Collectively, your voices made a difference. Thank you. Our efforts generated over 5,000 calls to Congress and more than 10,000 emails. By speaking out, you made it clear that health reform is a priority for you, and it should also be a priority for our leaders in Washington. Here is some helpful feedback from your calls that you reported back to us:

Sanford from Ohio:
I finally got thru and asked the staff member to tell Senator Voinovich to support President Obama's health care reform down payment for Americans. Ohio is hurting, do the right thing support the Administration's health care reform plan!

Cheryl from New Jersey:
"I encouraged [my Senators] to vote for President Obama's budget because health care does tie into fixing the economy.... People simply don't have the money in their pockets to pay out of pocket when they are having problems paying the mortgage and putting food on the table."

Ann from Illinois:
I spoke to [my Rep's] office and asked him to support Pres. Obama's healthcare reform.  I said this was not a party issue but the citizens of Illinois support this reform, and I asked that the money be there to support the plan.

Beth from Indiana:
"I let [my Senators] know more and more people in Indiana are losing their jobs and as a result are losing their health insurance as well.... I asked that they support President Obama's health care reform to include money in the federal budget to enable comprehensive reform to move forward this year."

 

So what now? Time to compromise. The House and the Senate passed slightly different versions, and those differences must now be worked out in a compromise bill later this month. So while there's agreement that this country is ready for a major health care overhaul, many questions remain. Our work is just beginning.