Not So Fast

While we have been talking about how the Senate will start the debate on health care reform after a break for Thanksgiving, it's not exactly going to be a fast start when Senators return.

When the Senate left town after the 60-39 vote on Saturday night that paved the way for debate, the schedule for November 30 and December 1 set out by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doesn't exactly indicate much urgency.

On Monday, November 30, the Senate returns from Thanksgiving at 2pm.

At 3pm, the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 3590, which is the legislative vehicle for the Democratic health reform plans.

SOURCE: Jamie Dupree

A stream of WH health care visits

President Barack Obama's top aides met frequently with lobbyists and health care industry heavyweights as his administration pieced together a national health care overhaul, according to White House visitor records obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

The records disclose visits by a broad cross-section of the people most involved in the health care debate, weighted heavily toward those who want to overhaul the system.

The list includes George Halvorson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Health Plans; Scott Serota, president and CEO of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; Kenneth Kies, a Washington lobbyist who represents Blue Cross/Blue Shield, among other clients; Billy Tauzin, head of PhRMA, the drug industry lobby; Richard Umbdenstock, chief of the American Hospital Association, and numerous lobbyists.

SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News