Skip to content
News and updates

Category: Health/Medical

CBO Releases Long Term Budget Outlook

Posted on

In its annual long term budget outlook released June 5, CBO projects that by the end of 2012, federal debt held by the public will exceed 70 percent of GDP, a dramatic increase from the end of 2008 when federal debt equaled 40 percent of the nation’s annual economic output. CBO attributes the sharp rise in debt partly to lower tax revenues and higher federal spending caused by the severe economic downturn and from policies enacted during the past few years, but notes “the growing debt also reflects an imbalance between spending and revenues that predated the recession.”

Read more about the report on the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) web site.

Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations

Posted on

House appropriators say the traditionally controversial Labor-HHS-Education appropriations measure could move forward in committee in June. Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chairman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) said Thursday that he would like to unveil his measure when the House returns from its recess the week of June 18th. Last year, the measure was not marked up by the House committee and was eventually rolled into a year-end omnibus measure. So far this year, House appropriators have moved 10 measures, leaving only the Labor-HHS-Education and Interior-Environment spending bills to be released.

The Senate has scheduled the mark up of their Labor-HHS-Education bill for June 12th.

Source:  CQRollCall.com

Today in Congress

Posted on

The Senate’s in at 9:30am and is expected to hold a key procedural vote on the farm bill at 10:30am. The House is in at 10:00am with first votes expected between 1:30—2:30pm and last votes expected between 10:00—11:00pm. The House is set to repeal parts of the health care act, including the medical device tax. It will also continue consideration of the Homeland Security appropriations bill, and vote on a motion to instruct conferees on the highway bill. The House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee marks up its FY2013 spending bill.

Today in DC

Posted on

The House is expected to adopt the FY 2013 GOP budget plan, which would set up a conflict with the Senate over appropriations spending levels.  That chamber also plans a vote on a three-month highway bill extension, days before funding for transportation programs expires.  

The Senate votes on a motion to invoke cloture on an oil and gas tax preference repeal measure and resumes consideration of its bill on tax rates for high-income earners.

If both chambers can agree on the transportation extension, they will likely leave town this afternoon to begin their 2-week recess period.

In other action in DC, the Supreme Court has concluded oral arguments on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.  They will now diliberate behind closed doors and offer their ruling sometime in June.

Today in Congress

Posted on

The House and the Senate are expected to vote on legislation that would extend a payroll tax cut through the end of the year.  The legislation also would extend federal unemployment insurance benefits and prevent a cut in Medicare payments to physicians.

The Senate holds a test vote on an amendment offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on a two-year surface transportation bill.  This procedure will help determine if the Senate can move toward final passage when they return from their President’s Day recess.

Both the House and Senate will be in recess next week for President’s Day.