Health Care Reform Update

The U.S. Senate has voted to begin debate on health system reform and formally consider H.R. 3590, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," by a party-line vote of 60-39. All Democrats (including independents) voted for cloture, which allows senators to begin the debate, while 39 Republicans voted against it.

Some senators who supported the vote to begin debate expressed the need to modify provisions in the bill. The AMA echoed that point and detailed areas of concern with the legislation in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

The Senate will return to begin consideration of H.R. 3590 following the Thanksgiving holiday. The AMA will use all resources available to make needed improvements in the bill and encourages all physicians, as advocates for their patients, to make their views known to their elected representatives so that health system reform will ultimately improve our health care system in the best interest of patients and preserve the central role of the patient-physician relationship.