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The March to Real Health Care Reform: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

March 16, 2010

We are receiving a number of calls and e-mails about the status of health care reform. This is an important week in the fight to ensure that 31 million Americans who do not have health insurance can get it.

We are going to provide a daily update on the comings and goings of health care reform.

Yesterday, the House Budget Committee, by a 21-16 vote, moved a budget reconciliation bill to the next step in the legislative process. The committee deemed the Senate health care bill passed.

Later this week, the House Rules Committee will add health care language to the reconciliation bill that will improve the health care legislation approved by the Senate in December 2009.

A vote on a final health care reconciliation bill is expected as early as this weekend. A final cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is expected as early as today.

This is a complicated process, and there is a lot of misinformation out there on what precisely is happening. Below is a selection of articles I recommend to learn more about what the House of Representatives is doing and what health care reform will accomplish:

Former California State Senate Health Committee Chairs Rep. John Garamendi and Rep. Diane Watson Discuss Health Care Reform on the House Floor (YouTube Video)

The President's Proposal, Inspired by the House and Senate health care bills incorporating ideas from Republicans in both chambers

Remarks on Health Care Reform in Strongsville, Ohio by President Barack Obama

Down to the Wire by Jonathan Cohn in the New Republic

House Democrats Begin Final Push on Healthcare as Pressures Intensify by Noam Levey and Janet Hook in the Los Angeles Times

Issues:Healthcare