Overview:
Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has drafted a Health Care Reform Bill to be considered by his colleagues in the Senate Finance Committee. Baucus's Bill is only the first step in the process that will eventually lead to the final version of the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Reform bill.
Below is a breakdown of the process:
STEP 1 (COMPLETED):
Senator Baucus drafts Health Care Reform Bill to be considered by the Senate Finance Committee
STEP 2 (COMPLETED):
- Senate Finance Committee considers bill drafted by Senator Baucus
- Senate Finance Committee debates, proposes amendments, and votes on amendments
STEP 3 (COMPLETED):
Based on the debates, as well as the amendments passed, a new version of the Health Care Reform Bill is created to be considered by the Senate Finance Committee; it is put to a vote (Step 4)
STEP 4 (COMPLETED):
The Senate Finance Committee votes on the proposed version of the Health Care Reform Bill
STEP 5 (COMPLETED - October 13, 2009):
IF the proposed version of the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Reform Bill passes via a majority vote WITHIN the Senate Finance Committee, it then becomes the "official" version of the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Reform Bill.
The above would mean completion of Step 1A in the Reform Legislative Process.