2009-10-13
UPDATE: By a vote of 14 to 9, the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) on October 13, 2009 adopted the "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009" sponsored by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT).

All Democrats on the SFC voted for the bill; all Republicans except Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted "no." The Finance Committee Bill would restructure the nation's health care system while insuring millions of Americans.

Senate Democratic leaders are now working to merge the Finance Committee Bill with the bill approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The Congressional Budget Office will score the merged bill, which will then be considered by the full Senate.

The Finance Committee Bill includes health insurance reforms, changes to Medicare, and revenue provisions. The Hewitt bulletin linked to at right, "Senate Finance Committee Approves Health Care Reform Bill," provides more details on the Finance Committee Bill.

On September 22, 2009, Chairman Baucus released a modified Chairman's Mark, reflecting amendments made to the Senate Finance Committee's version of federal health care reform.

The Hewitt bulletin linked to at right, "Modified Baucus Bill Proposes Larger Excise Tax, Higher FSA Limits," provides more details on the modified Chairman's Mark.

On September 16, 2009, Chairman Baucus unveiled the Senate Finance Committee's long-awaited health care reform plan.

The Hewitt bulletin linked to at right, "Senate Finance Releases Chairman's Mark of Health Care Reform," provides more details on the Chairman's Mark.

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