Last month, the House Democrats’ Cost-of-Living Healthcare Working Group (one of several working groups set up by the Democratic Leader to assist in creating a Democratic agenda for the next Congress) presented to House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) a list of health policy actions that House Democrats could prioritize in the 120th Congress.
The 84-page list of policy options is comprehensive and detailed and ranges from big-picture proposals like Medicare for All to smaller, specific suggestions on things like improving health care worker training and salary. It also targets proposals to undo what Democrats see as the damage done to working and middle-class health care by Administration and GOP Congressional actions over the past two years.
Spearheaded by Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the Working Group memo to Leader Jeffries also lists, among many other options:
The Working Group options list divides its potential proposals into options that could be pursued within the first 100 hours, the first 100 days, and the first year of the 120th Congress, if Democrats gain control of the House. It lists currently pending bills (all of which would have to be reintroduced) and suggests new bills. It shows each bill’s and proposal’s sponsors and committee(s) of jurisdiction. In short, it is the Working Group’s (and many Democrats’) roadmap/wish list for health care policy.
The Working Group memo is posted at https://www.politico.com/f/?id=000001a0-da3a-d276-aff6-fb7f2c380000.
Prospects: It is highly unlikely (nor intended by the Group or the Leader) that any of these policy proposals will be enacted into law this year. However, the makeup of the 120th Congress could create better chances for at least some of these proposals. If Democrats take control of the House (and possibly the Senate), and if the newly-elected far-left wing of the party demonstrates considerable influence, then chances improve for at least some of the proposals. In particular, watch for activity on buy-in to Medicare at an earlier age, or perhaps a public option on the ACA exchanges. But also keep in mind that most of these proposals will not get through the legislative process and those that do, if any, will likely face the possibility—some would say probability—of a Presidential veto.
NAIFA Staff Contacts: Diane Boyle – Senior Vice President – Government Relations, at dboyle@naifa.org; Mike Hedge – Senior Director – Government Relations, at mhedge@naifa.org; or Jayne Fitzgerald – Director – Government Relations, at jfitzgerald@naifa.org