It's Difficult to Change the Status Quo in Health Care

The large number of competing interest groups - including disease groups and business/trade associations - makes it difficult to pass health care legislation. An example of this is Senate bill 1955, the recent small business association health plan bill which was recently stalled in the Senate. Business and trade associations promoted the bill, as it would help their constituents purchase health insurance for their employees, thereby allowing them to attract the best workers. Disease groups vehemently opposed it, as it would circumvent state laws mandating coverage of specific diseases and conditions. Even governors and state attorneys general stepped in to complain that the proposed legislation would circumvent their authority to regulate insurance within their states.

Ultimately, because of these competing interests, the Senate could not move this bill forward. The states and disease groups consider this a victory - but a similar bill is sure to reappear on the Congressional calendar in the future. Will it succeed where this one failed?