Apparently Senator Leahy introduced an anti-trust amendment that would finally repeal the anti-trust exemption that the private insurance industry has. It's up for a vote today. As any of us is quite aware---this is big news, and I'm surprised this wasn't reported extensively until today. Here's the press release from Leahy's office, and after the jump are action items for you to take:
WASHINGTON – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday filed an amendment to the pending Wall Street reform legislation to repeal the health insurance industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws. Leahy introduced legislation in September to repeal the exemption, and sought to include the repeal in the health insurance reform legislation enacted earlier this year.
So what can we do to ensure this antitrust exemption amendment passes? For starters, you can pick up that phone and CALL your Senator to vote in favor of the Leahy antitrust exemption amendment for private insurers.
CALL YOUR SENATORS BELOW AT (202) 224-3121 AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT THE LEAHY ANTITRUST EXEMPTION AMENDMENT TODAY!
This is the amendment number below:
-Leahy #3823 (health insurance antitrust enforcement)
This is our chance to give another kick in the pants to the murder by spreadsheet industry, so please pick up that phone and CALL in support of the Leahy amendment today! Please don't let that amendment die on the vine.
E-mail this to your friends and family, and ask them to call their Senators in support of the Leahy anti-trust amendment today.
Instead of kvetching about Kagan, etcetera, let's come together as a community and do this!
UPDATE: Latest update on amendment votes today from Senator Reid:
Resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.
The following amendments are pending to S.3217:
- Dodd-Lincoln amendment #3739 (Substitute)
- Collins amendment #3979 (leverage and risk-based capital)
- Brownback #3789, as modified (auto dealer exemption)
-Snowe #3883 (small business regulation transparency)
-Specter #3776, as modified (Aiders & Abettors)
-Leahy #3823 (health insurance antitrust enforcement)
-Durbin #3989 (interchange fee)
-Franken #3991 (credit rating)
-Sessions #3822 (bankruptcy)
-LeMieux #3774, as modified (credit rating)
The Senate will recess from 1pm-2pm.
The Senate has reached the following unanimous consent agreement.
The Senate will now proceed to vote in relation to the following 2 amendments:
- Franken #3991 (credit ratings)
- LeMieux #3774, as modified, and as a side –by-side to the Franken #3991 (credit ratings)
No amendments are in order to any amendments in this agreement prior to a vote.
After the first vote, the next vote will be 10 minutes in duration.
Upon conclusion of these votes, Senator Kaufman will be recognized to speak for up to 5 minutes. Upon the conclusion of his remarks, the Senate will recess until 2pm.
At 2pm, there will be a period of morning business for up to 15 minutes, in which Senators Menendez, Lautenberg, and Nelson (FL) will be permitted to speak on the subject of S.3305 and make a unanimous consent request on the bill.
Immediately thereafter, the Senate will resume consideration S.3217 and there will be 5 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to the Sessions amendment #3832 (bankruptcy) . Therefore, senators should expect a vote in relation to the Sessions amendment to begin at approximately 2:20pm.
Votes:
- Now Voting on Franken amendment #3991: (credit ratings)
- Next Vote: LeMieux amendment #3774: , as modified, and as a side –by-side to the Franken #3991 (credit ratings)
UPDATE TWO: Franken amendment #3991 passes 64-35 on credit ratings issue.