ObamaCare: Day Four of the Senate Finance Committee Hearings

Robert Moffit / September 29, 2009

The Senate Finance Committee Hearings on Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-MT) health care proposal continued Friday morning, September 25, 2009. The amendments offered by members of the Committee continued to address issues related to growth of the federal government and limitation to consumers’ choice and freedom, changes which are likely to emerge from the passage of a Senate Finance Committee bill.

Accountability and Transparency in Government Decision-Making over Health Care (Ensign Amendment C10)

Under both House and Senate bills, federal government officials or appointees would make crucial decisions over health care benefits, treatments and medical procedures that would be available to millions of Americans. Sen. Ohn Ensign(R-NV) offered an amendment to subject these officials to Senate confirmation for their appointment. Currently, the controversial House bill (H.R. 3200) allows for the creation of a Health Benefits Advisory Committee, which would consist of nine non-federally employed members appointed by the President, nine non-federally employed members appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States, and up to eight federally-employed members, also appointed by the President. (more…)