<span style="font-size: larger;">We attended the House Health Policy Standing Committee this morning where they were considering the reporting out of committee SB 693 that has already passed the Senate. Testimony was given before the committee from the governor's office and from various groups and individuals both pro and con.<br />
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The State Healthcare Exchange bill had two bills (tie-barred) to it in the house both dealing with abortion. The democrats attempted to remove the tie barred bills but the motion was defeated by a 12 to 4 vote.<br />
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The reporting of the State Healthcare Exchange bill out of committee was also defeated by a vote of 9 to 4 with 3 abstentions with the provision that it be up for reconsideration on the next legislative session day. The bill will probably come up or reconsideration early next week.<br />
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At this point the fight isn</span><span style="font-size: larger;">'</span><span style="font-size: larger;">t over and the governor is working hard at getting the State Healthcare Exchange passed before the end of this legislative session. <br />
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Representative Opsommer who is on this committee voted against it and is working for its ultimate defeat.<br />
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If the bill doesn</span><span style="font-size: larger;">'</span><span style="font-size: larger;">t get reported out of committee Speaker Bolger can force it out for consideration by the whole House. This is a possibility if he gets enough pressure from the governor&rsquo;s office and lobbyists.<br />
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If you are not in favor of the passage of the state healthcare exchange feel free to contact the members of the House Health Policy Standing Committee and let them know your opinion:<br />
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Health Policy Committee members:<br />
Gail Haines (R) Committee Chair, 43rd District<br />
Mike Callton (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 87th District<br />
Paul E. Opsommer (R) 93rd District<br />
Kenneth Kurtz (R) 58th District<br />
Wayne A. Schmidt (R) 104th District<br />
Mike Shirkey (R) 65th District<br />
Thomas B. Hooker (R) 77th District<br />
Matt Huuki (R) 110th District<br />
Paul Muxlow (R) 83rd District<br />
Ken Yonker (R) 72nd District<br />
Holly Hughes (R) 91st District<br />
Joseph Graves (R) 51st District<br />
Lesia Liss (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 28th District<br />
Thomas Stallworth III (D) 8th District<br />
George T. Darany (D) 15th District<br />
Kate Segal (D) 62nd District<br />
Jimmy Womack (D) 7th District<br />
Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) 92nd District<br />
Tim Greimel (D) 29th District <br />
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