The House and Senate were unable to reach agreement on significant policy issues like health care reform prior to the close of the formal legislative session on August 1. While the conclusion of the formal session usually means the end of major policy initiatives for the session, there is talk on Beacon Hill that the legislature will try to resolve their differences and pass important initiatives during the informal sessions which runs until the end of the year. Passage of bills during an informal session can be difficult because it requires unanimous consent. There is also talk of returning for a Special Session to take up an economic development bond bill which requires a roll call vote.

With that in mind, I want to highlight some important health care issues MSCO has monitored during the session which are still pending and, if some compromise can be reached, passage in an informal session is possible. 

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Report provided by Edward J. Brennan, Esq., MSCO Legislative Counsel