Returning Congress Will Focus on ‘Missle Shield vs. Medicare,’ CQ’s Goldreich Predicts
In a new "Congressional Quarterly Audio Report," senior reporter Samuel Goldreich discusses the latest news in several health policy areas, including the following:
- Budget surplus: As Congress returns from its August recess, the biggest "headline" for the week ahead will likely be "Bush and Democrats Fight Over Defense and Health Spending," or in a variation, "Missle Shield vs. Medicare," Goldreich says. A recent White House report shows that, excluding Social Security and Medicare Part A funds, there is a "razor-thin" $600 million surplus, while numbers from the Congressional Budget Office show a deficit that will require spending $9 billion from the Social Security trust fund this year. While Bush says the shrinking surplus is a "good thing because it will force Congress to curb spending," lawmakers from both parties say it will make it impossible for the president to balance his commitment to both a Medicare prescription drug benefit and increased spending for defense and education. Goldreich notes that the expected budget debate could "preview" the 2002 election.
- Patients' rights: Members of a conference committee to resolve differences between patients' rights bills that have passed the House (HR 2563) and Senate (S 1052) could be named as early as next week, Goldreich says. But discussions could lead to "stalemate," as Bush has "a lot invested in the House bill" while the Senate bill is "wrapped up in the past and future presidential aspirations" of co-sponsoring Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Edwards (D-N.C.).
- Stem cell research: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), will hold a Sept. 5 hearing on Bush's decision to limit federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to 64 existing stem cell lines. While the committee, which will "grill" HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on "complaints" by researchers that the lines are not all viable, may support legislation loosening Bush's restrictions, research opponents "vow to fight any effort to expand federal funding." As neither side has a "veto-proof majority," Bush's policy will likely stand for at least "the next year or so."
