House Republicans vote on, maneuver around healthcare legislation
Trying to build on the seeming momentum of healthcare-related legislation this year, a number of House Republican leaders have plans to bring several healthcare bills to the floor for a vote, including legislation for small businesses seeking health insurance, a bill seeking to expand health savings accounts for small businesses, legislation relating to insurers and others.
   
Of particular interest are reports that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) in July will address proposals dealing with health information technology, especially proposal (S 1262) which he co-sponsored with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). As we've reported, the Frist-Clinton bill would develop electronic patient records and a number of other health IT related programs.
   
There could be slowdowns or hurdles in the way before this health IT bill, or any other, will see the light of day for a vote. Waiting for passage of appropriation bills is one potential slowdown. And looming political bombshells such as a Senate bill that would seek to increase funding for embryonic stem cell research, something Frist does not support, could also slow things down.
   
Wait and see, wait and see. Health Imaging News will continue to monitor developments.
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