CQ’s Goldreich Outlines Congressional Action on Human Cloning, Economic Stimulus Package and Medicare
The Senate on Dec. 3 will take on the issue of a six-month ban on human cloning, which is attached to a "legislative monster" -- a plan that would allow oil drilling in Alaska, Congressional Quarterly senior reporter Samuel Goldreich says in this week's "Congressional Quarterly Audio Report." The debate is proceeding even though President Bush and the Republicans had wanted the Senate to consider the ban already passed by the House, Goldreich adds. He predicts that the Senate will not pass a cloning ban this year. In the meantime, however, the Christian Legal Society has called on the FDA to use its authority under drug safety laws to limit what Advanced Cell Technology -- the company that cloned the first human embryo -- can do. Goldreich says that the chances of the Christian Legal Society succeeding are "limited" because the FDA has not had its oversight of human cloning tested in court. Goldreich also addresses the following issues:
- Sept. 11 aftermath: Money for bioterrorism and providing health insurance to the unemployed is "tied up in bigger debates over spending limits and a bill to stimulate the economy," Goldreich says. Democrats on Dec. 4 could attach a $15 billion homeland security package to a defense spending bill. Further, while negotiations have been stalled on the stimulus package, "serious" talks have begun, Goldreich says.
- Medicare: Goldreich notes that the House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to address Medicare+Choice in a Dec. 4 hearing, and that committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee also are expected to move to the floor a bill that would give "regulatory relief" to care providers in the Medicare program. Goldreich says that while there will be congressional efforts "to rescue doctors and hospitals from payment or rate cuts under" Medicare and Medicaid, as well as a "small bailout for managed care plans," there likely will not be action on a Medicare prescription drug benefit before the end of the year (Goldreich, "Congressional Quarterly Audio Report," 12/3).
