News outlets covering the health reform debate noted that Republicans are continuing their arguments against Democratic legislation and outlined what might happen in the coming week in the Senate.
The Hill: "The latest push for Republican ideas for health reform was made Saturday by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who also used the GOP radio address to promote his own Senate candidacy. Kirk outlined core elements of Republicans' health reform proposals in the address, arguing that the healthcare bill passed a week ago by the House would do little to reform the system, and result in higher taxes. 'The Pelosi healthcare bill has no significant lawsuit reforms and does not guarantee your medical rights from government waiting lines or restrictions,' Kirk said" (O'Brien, 11/14).
Chicago Tribune "Kirk, one of nine Republican candidates seeking the Feb. 2 nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Rod Blagojevich Democratic appointee Sen. Roland Burris, contended his proposal aimed at curbing malpractice lawsuits and allow people to buy insurance across state lines was a 'common sense' approach to health care reform. 'Unfortunately, all of these common sense Republican reforms were rejected by (House) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi'" (Pearson, 11/14)
Related KHN story: The Debate Over Selling Insurance Across State Lines (Galewtiz, 11/8).
CQ HealthBeat reports on one controversial aspect of the House bill - whether people who didn't buy health insurance would go to jail - and reports: "In theory, it is possible under the House version of the health care overhaul bill — but likely would only happen in very rare circumstances, and only for those who willfully refuse to pay taxes assessed in the form of a penalty tax. 'In actual implementation, I can't believe anybody is going to go to jail over this'" said Linda J. Blumberg, a senior fellow at the liberal-leaning Urban Institute who's closely followed the health debate. ... The approach for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would be the same as with other delinquent tax filers who face the possibility they will wind up imprisoned if they refuse to pay and undergo criminal prosecution, said Ed Haislmeier, senior research fellow in health policy at the conservative Heritage Foundation. 'At the end of the day is it theoretically possible? Yes,' said Haislmaier. But fewer than 100 convictions were obtained last year by the IRS for willful failure to pay taxes" (Norman, 11/13).
Meanwhile, Roll Call reports, "Senate leaders do not expect to receive an official cost estimate on their health care reform bill until sometime next week, but Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is prepared to keep the Senate in session the week of Thanksgiving in order to get debate started on the measure before the holiday. Senate aides acknowledged that the Congressional Budget Office is not expected to produce a cost estimate of the bill on Friday as expected and that Reid is hoping to receive the score by Tuesday or Wednesday" (Pierce, 11/13).