Questions About the ObamaCare Bill

Q: What are the bills Congress is considering?

A: After much debate and many different versions and votes, there is now essentially one primary bill and a second measure that amends it.

1) The Senate bill, HR 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is based on the S. 1796, the Senate Finance Committee bill, and S. 1679, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee bill. HR 3590 was passed by the Senate on December 24, 2009 and the House on March 21, 2010.

2)On March 21, 2010, the House also passed HR 4872 “The Reconciliation Act of 2010” which made changes to HR 3590.

Q: Where are these bills in the legislative process?

A: HR 3590, “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (aka “the Senate bill”) is expected be signed into law by the President on March 22nd or 23r. The Senate will then begin debate on HR 4872, “The Reconciliation Act of 2010” as passed by the House as soon HR 3590 is signed by the President and becomes law.

Q: What are the next steps of the legislative process?

A: As soon as President Obama signs HR 3590 into law, the Senate will begin debate on HR 4872 as approved by the House on March 21, 2010.

Debate of HR 4872 will be conducted under the Senate’s rules of Budget Reconciliation, a process which only requires a simple majority of 51 votes for passage.

If HR 4872 is passed by the Senate in the same form as it was passed by the House on March 21, 2010, it will then go to President Obama for his signature.

If the Senate makes changes to HR 4872, it must then go back to the House for further debate and another vote.

If the House and Senate do not reach a final agreement on HR 4872, “The Reconciliation Act of 2010”, HR 3590, “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, as signed by the President following the House vote on March 21, 2010, will remain law.

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