What I'm reading...

[lblanchard]

The text of the House's health care bill, all 1018 pages of it. At the moment, I am really really annoyed that there are no cross-references, nor links to other statutes incorporated by reference. This is not a user-friendly document. Thank you, docs.house.gov, for helping me become an informed citizen.

I am not reassured by what I've read so far. I see far-reaching powers assigned to a Commissioner, including the power to grant exemptions, and abundant opportunities for graft, bribery, and general mischief.

Or, as the poet says, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Edit: and the Commissioner will head up the Health Choices Administration.

Edit II: Someone educate me. Does "with the advice and consent of the Senate" mean the Senate can hold up an appointment?

Comments

[montieth.livejournal.com]

Edit II: Someone educate me. Does "with the advice and consent of the Senate" mean the Senate can hold up an appointment?

It sounds like it.

[sueschus.livejournal.com]

I went to the bill (HR 3200) and randomly selected the following. I totally agree with you, Laura. 1000 pages of specifically unspecific opportunity for whatever interpretation the Commissioner/Secretary/Representative/Justice wants to give it 'today'.

"SEC. 1713. OPTIONAL COVERAGE OF NURSE HOME VISITATION SERVICES.

(a) In General- Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by sections 1701(a)(2) and 1711(a), is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (27), by striking `and' at the end;

(B) by redesignating paragraph (28) as paragraph (29); and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (27) the following new paragraph:

`(28) nurse home visitation services (as defined in subsection (aa)); and'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(aa) The term `nurse home visitation services' means home visits by trained nurses to families with a first-time pregnant woman, or a child (under 2 years of age), who is eligible for medical assistance under this title, *** but only, to the extent determined by the Secretary based upon evidence, that such services are effective in one or more of the following: ***

`(1) Improving maternal or child health and pregnancy outcomes or increasing birth intervals between pregnancies.

`(2) Reducing the incidence of child abuse, neglect, and injury, improving family stability (including reduction in the incidence of intimate partner violence), or reducing maternal and child involvement in the criminal justice system.

`(3) Increasing economic self-sufficiency, employment advancement, school-readiness, and educational achievement, or reducing dependence on public assistance.'.

(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2010.

(c) Construction- Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall be construed as affecting the ability of a State under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act to provide nurse home visitation services as part of another class of items and services falling within the definition of medical assistance or child health assistance under the respective title, or as an administrative expenditure for which payment is made under section 1903(a) or 2105(a) of such Act, respectively, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act."

You've inspired me to read more of it. Thanks. I think.

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

The Constitution is much shorter. And after reading that, you need only read a page or two of the House bill to confirm that it's unconstitutional.