Providers will be waiting, watching and lobbying with
baited breath over the coming week, as House leaders attempt to steer their
three-headed proposal for healthcare reform before the full House for a vote.
With two of the three involved committees having already approved a measure,
all focus will be on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which canceled another
markup session Thursday. Providers potentially have millions of dollars in
reimbursements at stake. Draining the urgency for action is Senate leaders'
decision to wait until after the August recess to vote on their version of a
reform bill, which includes a first-of-its-kind long-term care insurance benefit
endorsed by providers.