The Senate Finance Committee-the final committee of jurisdiction to consider health reform legislation-again punted a vote on its proposal to early next week.  The committee stood in recess this week while it awaited a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office.  The estimate was completed on Thursday, and the measure came in at $829 billion over 10 years-with an estimated decrease to the deficit by $81 billion.  Once the Finance Committee votes on its version of the legislation, it will be reconciled with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill before moving to the Senate floor for a vote.
 
Meanwhile, a proposed excise tax that was included in the Senate Finance Committee mark is now gaining traction in the House of Representatives.  The proposal would pay for subsidies to insure more Americans by imposing a tax on insurers.  It raises real concerns for oral health, as health insurers will pass the cost of the new tax onto consumers, negatively impacting both middle and low income Americans.  Faced with rising costs of health insurance that are likely to occur as a result of the tax, employers and patients may choose not to purchase dental insurance.  The House Tri-Committee bill had previously paid for expansions by imposing a tax on costly "Cadillac" plans.  This proposal has become increasingly unpopular; however, and recent media reports indicate that the House is more likely to adopt the Senate language.  House leadership ruled out bringing a bill to the floor next week, so the week of Oct. 19 would be the earliest time a vote would occur.