Around 9pm, the House overrode the final four health reform vetoes by Gov. Romney. Brief SHN excerpts:
HEALTH BILL – WAIVER NEGOTIATION INFORMATION: Question came on whether to override or sustain the governor’s veto of section 112 health reform bill. Rep. Walrath said she hopes the veto is overridden. The governor vetoed this because he said it imposes inappropriate controls on the executive branch. The concern was the secrecy with which the administration conducted negotiations with the CMS. We weren’t able to get the papers we needed, the type of information we needed. It was a detriment to the best interests of the Commonwealth and impeded the resolutions we were trying to reach. The language requires the administration to consult with a member of the House and a Senate appointee.
BY A VOTE OF 137-19, VETO OVERRIDDEN
HEALTH BILL – PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL SECTION: Question came on whether to override or sustain the governor’s veto of section 5 Public Health Council. Rep. Walrath said this deals with the Public Health Council. The governor believes this gives private organizations the authority to appoint members and this violates separation of powers. House counsel does not agree. The language was crafted so that it did not. The work of the department is important and deserves diverse, excellent membership. The old provisions made very few demands on the governor. We expand membership to 18 members from nine including the five deans of the state schools of public health, six providers, long term care facilities and a variety of individual providers, six non providers with expertise in preventing medical errors, veterans health care, health care consumers and community outreach. I hope section 5 is overridden.
BY A VOTE OF 137-19, VETO OVERRIDDEN
