Medicare Conferees Hold First
Meeting
July 18, 2003 - The House and Senate conferees to
the Medicare prescription drug legislation held their first
meeting July 15. The meeting was reportedly devoted to conferees'
opening statements and discussion on process and timing.
The House July 14 named the following Medicare conferees:
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.),
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.),
Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.),
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chair Mike Bilirakis
(R-Fla.), House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), Energy
and Commerce Ranking Minority Member John Dingell (D-Mich.),
Ways and Means Ranking Minority Member Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)
and Blue Dog Democrat Marion Berry (D-Ark.). Senate conferees
were named July 7 [see Washington
Highlights,
July 11].
In his opening statement, Senate Finance Committee Chairman
Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) stated "Despite the differences
we may have on policy, the fact remains that both bills meet
the President's goal of adding drug coverage, strengthening
and improving Medicare and doing so within the $400 billion
limit Congress authorized in the budget resolution."
Sen. Grassley urged the conferees to sort out the differences
and not draw lines in the sand. "I haven't laid down
any, and I don't think they make getting to consensus, and
getting a final bill to the President, any easier."
Saying it is "now time for us to act," Senate Majority
Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) stated "America is one step
closer to helping millions of seniors and individuals with
disabilities struggling with high prescription drug costs
and outdated, often inadequate medical care. Because of the
work of the many leaders in both political parties, we are
closer than ever to truly transforming Medicare."
The conferees likely will meet the week of July 21. The House
plans to recess for the August break July 25 with the Senate
going into recess one week later. Chairman Thomas is reported
to have suggested that the conferees break into small groups
on various provisions so as to accomplish the work more quickly.
It is likely that staff to the conferees will meet over the
August recess to create a series of decisions for lawmakers
to finalize when they return in September.
Information:
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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