A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation in the House and the Senate that would encourage states to propose health reform initiatives aimed at promoting health IT, covering the uninsured and improving care quality, United Press International reports.
The legislation, which is similar to a bill that stalled at the close of the last Congress, calls for states to submit health reform proposals that include information about federal regulations that need to be waived and the amount of funding needed. A bipartisan congressional commission then would decide whether to accept each proposal, and then Congress in one up-or-down vote would decide on all commission-approved state proposals, United Press International reports.
"This legislation would make it more possible for states in a variety of circumstances to move forward and try novel reforms," Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said.
The congressional commission after five years would evaluate the results of state efforts and recommend successful reforms to Congress for nationwide adoption. The plan's cost would be determined by the state proposals received and approved by the commission, Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) said. Maintenance of the commission would cost $3 million to $4 million (Pierce, United Press International, 1/17).