Purpose: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage
for all United States residents. Representative John Conyers, Jr
introduced the bill.
Status: Referred Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and
Means, Veterans Affairs and Resources.
NRLN Position: The NRLN has not taken a position on this bill.
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H.R. 700 – Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of
2005
Purpose: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs. This is a
companion bill to S. 334 and was introduced by Representative Jo
Ann Emerson.
Status: Referred to House Committee on Education and the
Workforce (Chairman John Boehner).
NRLN Position: The NRLN supports H.R. 700 for the same reasons
described for S. 334.
________________________________________
U.S. Senate
Purpose: To examine the
circumstances contributing to the problems facing the health
care system of the United States and to develop public and
private policies as appropriate to address rising health care
costs and the number of uninsured Americans. S.2007 calls for
activation and funding of a Health Care Reform Committee charged
to provide recommendations to Congress on what to do about
health care reform in general and rising health care costs.
Status: This 14-page bill was
introduced by Senators Ken Salazar and John McCain in November
2005 in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee. It is still in committee and we believe it will be
reintroduced in 2006.
NRLN Position: The NRLN has been
monitoring Health Care Reform activities among various groups of
health care experts, political platforms and governmental agency
studies through our Affordable Healthcare Committee. S.2007 may
prove to be a sound vehicle for making progress. While a
one-year study funded with $6,000,000 may not result in all the
answers, the NRLN currently supports passage of S.2007 and the
bill will be considered for inclusion in our 2006 NRLN
Legislative Plan.
Purpose: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with
respect to the importation of prescription drugs. Introduced by
Senator Byron Dorgan, the bill would allow U.S. licensed
pharmacies, drug wholesalers and American consumers, to take
advantage of the global marketplace by importing safe,
FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada and other countries
at lower prices.
Status: Referred to Committee on Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions (Chairman Michael Enzi) The Commerce Committee adopted
Senator Dorgan's S.334 amendment to the Commerce Committee
Federal Trade Commission bill on 7/21/05. That bill is tabled.
NRLN Position: The NRLN supports passage of S.334 and will mount
another Grassroots effort when the opportunity arises.
Other Health Care Issues
Health Care that Works for All Americans Act
On December 8, 2004,
President Bush signed into law the Health Care that Works
for All Americans Act, authored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden
(D-Ore.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Town hall meetings and
online surveys are being conducted for citizens to share
their views on whether and how the nation’s health care
system should be reformed. By participating with the
Citizens' Health Care Working Group you can have an inside
track to influence the deliberations of Congress and the
President. Don't miss your chance. Click
here to access the website for the Citizens'
Health Care Working Group.
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