The first amendment “offered by Senate Democrats is likely to be one focused on women’s preventative health care from Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.),” POLITICO reports.
The choice is interesting for a few reasons. It shows the debate, at this point, is as much about messaging as legislating. The first day of the debate will garner media attention, so the lead amendment on both sides reveals strategy. Women are a key constituency who need to be sold on the benefits of this bill.
According to floor remarks by Senator Mikulski, the amendment would work to guarantee that women have access to preventative screening tests and programs by lowering relevant insurance co-pays and deductibles.
She said that the Congressional Budget Office has scored her amendment to cost around $1 billion. You can read the full text here.
(credit image – getty)
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