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Government
& Public Affairs Update
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Government &
Public Affairs Team
Reginald M. Turner
John
Van Fossen, Practice Group Leader
Lucius A. Vassar
Chris Wagner
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Obama Meets
with House and Senate Health Negotiators
House and
Senate Democratic Leaders met with President Obama yesterday for most
of the day in hopes of reaching a compromise on the differing health
reform bills. All parties emerged claiming progress had been
made, but that a deal had not been reached. Meetings will
continue throughout today and could spill into tomorrow.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the goal was to have a
final bill by next week to submit to the Congressional Budget Office
for "scoring," which details the expected long-term effects
the legislation would have on the federal budget.
Before leaving for the holiday recess, Democrats were hopeful that a
bill could be finished in time for the President's State of the Union
address, a time line which now appears impossible.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers see possible divisions within the
Democratic Caucus that may give them an opportunity to kill the bill
all together. House Democrats will have to decide whether or
not to support a less progressive final bill that adopts more of the
Senate language to overcome its 60-vote threshold. The public
option that many House Members pushed for is not expected to survive
the next few days of negotiations.
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If you have
any questions concerning these issues, please contact Chris Wagner at
202.772.0924 or cwagner@clarkhill.com.
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To find out more
about Clark Hill and our Government & Public Affairs Practice
Group, visit clarkhill.com
or call 800.949.3124
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