Democratic Senators Call for Greater Transparency, Public Engagement in Health Insurance Reform

October 6, 2009 -- Washington - Citing their constituents' frustration and requests for more information, U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) today called for greater transparency as the health insurance reform debate moves to the Senate floor.

In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Senators wrote, "Whether or not our constituents agree with the direction of the debate, many are frustrated and lacking accurate information on the emerging proposals in Congress. Without a doubt, reforming health care in America is one of the most monumental and far-reaching undertakings considered by this body in decades. We believe the American public's participation in this process is critical to our overall success of creating a bill that lowers health care costs and offers access to quality and affordable health care for all Americans."

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Specifically, the Senators called for legislative text and complete budget scores from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to be posted on a public website at least 72 hours prior to the first vote to proceed to health reform legislation. Also, the legislative text and complete CBO scores of the health care bill as amended should be made available to the public for 72 hours prior to the vote on final passage of the bill in the Senate. Further, the legislative text of all amendments filed and offered for debate on the Senate floor should be posted on a public website prior to beginning debate on the amendment on the Senate floor. Lastly, upon a final agreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate, a formal conference report detailing the agreement and complete CBO scores of the final bill should be made available to the public for 72 hours prior to the vote on final passage of the conference report in the Senate.

"At a time when trust in Congress and the U.S. government is unprecedentedly low, we can begin to rebuild the American people's faith in their federal government through transparency and by actively inviting Americans to participate in the legislative process," the Senators wrote.

Source: Senator Joe Lieberman