Senate Dems reject GOP bids to postpone health care debate

Senate Democrats on Tuesday turned back Republican efforts to postpone debate on a health care cost containment bill until after state budget deliberations or until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a case challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr predicted the court would render its decision before July 31, when formal House and Senate sessions are scheduled to end for this two-year session.

Tarr said senators are "struggling" to understand the legislation, which was released last week, and described more time for senators to review the bill and amendments as a "collateral benefit" of postponing action.

On a standing vote, Senate Democrats declined to suspend rules to take up the order, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules.

Tarr then moved to postpone debate on the bill until June 7, saying that with the Senate?s fiscal 2013 budget debate approaching a more "thoughtful" health care debate might occur after budget debate. The Senate Ways and Means Committee plans to release its budget bill Wednesday and senators have agreed to an order requiring them to file budget amendments by 3 p.m. Friday, with the full Senate scheduled to continue debate the health care bill on Thursday.

Senate Health Care Financing Committee co-chair Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) said the 265 amendments to the bill show senators have already invested time and thought in the legislation. He pointed to five public hearings on cost control legislation and numerous reports and special council initiatives addressing cost control issues.

Moore called the idea of postponing the bill?s consideration until after the high court ruling an "overreach," saying that court?s ultimate ruling would have "no bearing on the bill" before the Senate.

Sen. Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) disagreed, saying the court ruling could have "tremendous ramifications" in Massachusetts ? specifically on federal funding, the state?s Medicaid waiver and on its Connector Authority.

Knapik predicted "winners and losers" as a result of the cost-shifting that he predicted would occur if the cost control bill is approved. The bill?s supporters say it would cut $150 billion in health care spending over 15 years by improving the quality of care and reducing unnecessary testing and other costs.

Tarr?s bid to postpone the bill?s consideration until June 7 failed on a vote of 4-32.

After the vote, Moore expressed hope that the Senate would pass the bill (S 2260) this week.

"The longer we wait the more health costs continue to rise," Moore said.

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