McConnell delays start of recess to third week in August

Senate delays recess to work on GOP health bill 

Despite public and partisan rhetoric, the congress is attempting to correct the weaknesses ot the Affordable Care Act.  There is much in the new law that is good. Perfection is the enemy of the good. Everyone admits that healthcare is complicated.  This is not a new situation.

Our system evolved from a strictly pay for production (fee for service) to a polyglot system of private insurers, PPOs, and HMOs. Add to those are the military, Veterans health system, Indian Health System, Medicare and medi-cal has resulted in a barely functioning financial support system. 

Some have proposed a 'universal payor system.  At face value UPS sounds very nice, however it does not address underlying health care disparity, nor underlying structural failures in health care delivery. It ignores the gordian knot of many other facts.

The decision to give up a part of the summer recess means Congress is serious about working on the impasse.  There is no time like the present to deal with the crisis.  Congress has many other important and critical issues to resolve.

Thanks to those who serve, to give up a deserved respite.  It is especially gratifying for those who have lived in the District of Columbia, a hot, sweltering miserable season.  I'd rather be in my home district, fishing, being with family, or perhaps just sleeping in late.  Our representatives now have a thankless job.

As we head into the summer doldrum take a minute to call and thank your representative. 

(CNN)Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has delayed the start of the August Senate recess until the third week in August in order to allow more time for his conference to complete "its work on health care reform" among other tasks.

"In order to provide more time to complete action on important legislative items and process nominees that have been stalled by a lack of cooperation from our friends across the aisle, the Senate will delay the start of the August recess until the third week of August," McConnell announced in a statement.

While Republicans are still working through their plan to overhaul Obamacare, McConnell says there is plenty more work to do after that.

"Once the Senate completes its work on health care reform, we will turn to other important issues including the National Defense Authorization Act and the backlog of critical nominations that have been mindlessly stalled by Democrats," McConnell said.

The delay of the August recess came after a handful of rank-and file Republicans urged leadership to stay in Washington to finish their business rather than return home for the district work period.

McConnell delays start of recess to third week in August - CNNPolitics.com