It took a few moments for the press to catch up with the agenda, as the Finance Committee leadership decided to change the schedule. "We decided to skip the formalities," said Senator Baucus, "We wanted to expedite the process, minimize testimony and maximize time on the text." Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles E. Grassley agreed, "The bill was already introduced last week." The amiable pair sat next to one another throughout the session, speaking in whispers and making jokes to one another. Between the good relations of the leadership and the bipartisan bill, little discussion was necessary. The bulk of the day was spent on hearings.
Senators Grassley (left) and Baucus
Senator Grassley called Donald Marron, founder of Lightyear Capital and Acting Director for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) between 2006 and 2007. Marron gave several facts and figures as to the economic implications of the bill, which aims at specifically helping veterans in rural areas, redistributing funds within nonprofit hospitals, including an $800,000 salary cap on executive salaries. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) pointed out that the top group of hospitals pay their executives $1.4 million and asked, “how would they feel if their pay decreased by 45%? Wouldn’t qualified executives be driven to work for the for-profit hospitals instead?” Marron responded, “$800,000 is a large enough salary for anyone.”
Next Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) called Tom Loftus, a veteran of Vietnam who currently works with veterans in rural areas, for his testimony. Loftus shared several heartfelt reasons for passing the bill, the most practical being that veterans in rural areas would no longer have to drive 3 – 4 hours just to be treated for mental and physical health issues. He stated that the current “food for service” vouchers simply do not work, and that a new system is needed. Loftus believes that the bill is “a step in the right direction,” because “both the quality and amount of care will increase.” During questioning, every member of the Committee thanked him for his service, and the mood was generally positive.
I caught up with Senator John Ensign (R-NV), and asked for his general thoughts on the bill. He called it, “a great bill all-around,” and said he “could see a lot of honorable veterans being exposed to better healthcare opportunities, and there being much improved benefits for those who have so valiantly protected us from harm.” When asked about Senator Kerry’s proposition that the salary cap may deter qualified executives, Senator Ensign responded strongly and clearly; “$800,000 is no small number. I would love to be making that every year. I know a lot of people who would love to be making that. A lot of very qualified people do not make that. I understand the supply and demand side of it, that better goods require a higher price. But I think the number is high enough and I don’t think there will be a lack of talent when it comes to those who will take the job.”
After two long rounds of questioning and breaking for a short recess, during which Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and John Kyl (R-AZ) sprinted from the room on a “cookie expedition,” the Finance Committee reconvened for a few minutes to announce the upcoming bills for the next session. Stay tuned for not-so-bipartisan Finance Committee action tomorrow.
Next Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) called Tom Loftus, a veteran of Vietnam who currently works with veterans in rural areas, for his testimony. Loftus shared several heartfelt reasons for passing the bill, the most practical being that veterans in rural areas would no longer have to drive 3 – 4 hours just to be treated for mental and physical health issues. He stated that the current “food for service” vouchers simply do not work, and that a new system is needed. Loftus believes that the bill is “a step in the right direction,” because “both the quality and amount of care will increase.” During questioning, every member of the Committee thanked him for his service, and the mood was generally positive.
I caught up with Senator John Ensign (R-NV), and asked for his general thoughts on the bill. He called it, “a great bill all-around,” and said he “could see a lot of honorable veterans being exposed to better healthcare opportunities, and there being much improved benefits for those who have so valiantly protected us from harm.” When asked about Senator Kerry’s proposition that the salary cap may deter qualified executives, Senator Ensign responded strongly and clearly; “$800,000 is no small number. I would love to be making that every year. I know a lot of people who would love to be making that. A lot of very qualified people do not make that. I understand the supply and demand side of it, that better goods require a higher price. But I think the number is high enough and I don’t think there will be a lack of talent when it comes to those who will take the job.”
After two long rounds of questioning and breaking for a short recess, during which Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and John Kyl (R-AZ) sprinted from the room on a “cookie expedition,” the Finance Committee reconvened for a few minutes to announce the upcoming bills for the next session. Stay tuned for not-so-bipartisan Finance Committee action tomorrow.
Sens. Baucus and Schumer are cosponsors of my other piece of legislation, the Physician Payments Accountability Act, not the HOPE for America's Veterans Act. That being said, I am grateful for and honored by the broad bipartisan support that the measure has received so far and look forward to its swift passage through Congress so that our veterans, and all Americans, will be able to benefit from increased accessibility to quality health care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Senator Grassley for your correction and comment. It has been corrected.
ReplyDelete