Keeping Up with the National Health Reform Debate

As an American health care provider, I have a vested interested in the health care reform debate as it will impact the future state of health care in the US. I am especially concerned about my clients understanding and having a voice in the issues.

Unfortunately, it can be very confusing to try to get a grasp on the various permutations and iterations of the proposals and track their progress. It can also be frustrating to have ideas and opinions, but feel unclear as to how and where to voice them. I am providing the following resources in an effort to help clients and other health care professionals stay abreast of the debate, track progress and voice their opinions.

Summaries
House Committees on Ways And Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor (July 14, 2009) summary of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act

American Psychological Association Health Care Reform Priorities

Resources
The Kaiser Family Foundation has several resources for following comprehensive health reform efforts available through their gateway page

• How Might a Reform Plan Be Financed?
• Key Questions about Changes for Medicaid and Low-Income Individuals
• Summary of Key Medicare Provisions in H.R. 3200
• Interactive side-by-side health reform comparison tool

Track Progress
Track progress, comment on and share H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

Speak Out
The following is a list of key players in the health reform debate and how to contact them.

• The White House Ph: (202) 456-1111 e-mail
  
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Ph: (202) 225-4965 e-mail
  
• House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio Ph: (202) 225-6205 e-mail
  
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Ph: (202) 224-3542 e-mail
  
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Ph: (202) 224-2541 e-mail
  
• Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Ph: (202) 225-3976 e-mail
  
• Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Ph: (202) 225-2002 e-mail
  
• Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ph: (202) 224-2823 e-mail
  
• Sen. Michael Enzi, ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ph: (202) 224-3424 e-mail
  
• Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Ph: (202) 224-2651 e-mail
  
• Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee Ph: (202) 224-3744 e-mail
  
• Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Ph: (202) 225-4365 e-mail
  
• Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee: Ph: (202) 225-3561 e-mail
  
• Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Ph: (202) 225-2095 e-mail
  
• Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., ranking member on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee Ph: (202) 225-4501 e-mail
  

Please also visit my website http://www.kctherapist.com/ for more information and resources regarding a variety of mental health issues and concerns.