[314159pi]

Congress Approves Mental Health Bill
Private Insurers Would Provide More Benefits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...v=rss_business

if bush signs this, maybe more of us can get back to work.
-pi

[jbug]

It's about time the gov't got off their behinds are realized we are people too.

Jbug

[314159pi]

the irony of it is that they weren't thinking of us. that's why the bill has bipartisan support and isn't being viewed as an entitlement by the right.

apparently there are some republican legislators who see this bill as a way to force insurance companies to pay for rehab for recovering alcoholics (like themselves). our benefit is a collateral consequence.

the tricky part is pricing the bill. especially in this inflamatory environment.

-pi

[(JD)]

I'm thinking it's out of respect to Ted Kennedy and his efforts on this, and his terminal illness. They probably wanted to pass something before he passes?

"The House passed the language as a stand-alone bill, while the Senate included it in another measure. So they’ll have to come to a joint agreement about what form the measure will take to be sent off to the White House for the president’s signature." WSJ

With the current economic crisis, it will be interesting to see what all they try to cram onto any bill presented.

[gardenergirl]

Originally Posted by _Sky

I'm thinking it's out of respect to Ted Kennedy and his efforts on this, and his terminal illness. They probably wanted to pass something before he passes?

"The House passed the language as a stand-alone bill, while the Senate included it in another measure. So they’ll have to come to a joint agreement about what form the measure will take to be sent off to the White House for the president’s signature." WSJ

With the current economic crisis, it will be interesting to see what all they try to cram onto any bill presented.

I'm so darned cynical at this point, shame on me. It's interesting to me that my own Rep. voted for this, finally, for the first time ever. I've been hounding him with emails, phone calls, personal visits, etc. for years, and he's not budged on it til now.

Since Congress will be in recess soon and with the economic crisis still without an agreed upon plan, I have to wonder if perhaps this finally passed at a time when there just is not enough time for a conference committee to develop a joint bill for Pres. Bush to sign before they head out. If true, and I realize it's me being really cynical and pessimistic, then that would suggest that the "Aye" votes might help those who are in tight election races even if the bill never comes to be law this session.

I sure hope I'm way way off base here.

gg

[bflatgary]

It is unusual in times like these for both sides to come together on anything. Our two-party system has no center. One party is run by the right, the other by the left. They hold to their own views so tightly that they do not even listen to what the other side has to say. It is amazing that this one passed.

bfG

[314159pi]

Originally Posted by bflatgary

It is unusual in times like these for both sides to come together on anything. Our two-party system has no center. One party is run by the right, the other by the left. They hold to their own views so tightly that they do not even listen to what the other side has to say. It is amazing that this one passed.

bfG

i am thinking that if this isn't signed by bush then the democrats will reap more political capital. as far as 2 party systems go, yeah one will be on the right and the other on the left. if they both were in the center it would be a one party state which is possibly worse.
-pi

[sabby]

Thank you for bringing this information to the member's attention.

As per the guidelines of limiting political discussions, I will be closing this thread from further discussion.

sabby