Tuesday's vote in the Senate Finance Committee delivered a stronger than expected vote in favor of health reform.  Up until the last minute, it was not known if Senator Rockefeller of West Virginia, Senator Wyden of Oregon, and Senator Snowe of Maine were going to vote in favor of the bill in committee.  As all three voted yes, this gives the bill a strong head of steam moving forward. 

The White House and Senate leadership headed by Majority Leader Reid, Senator Dodd of Connecticut and Senator Baucus of New Mexico-with heavy input from lone Republican supporter Senator Snowe-will now combine the Senate Finance Committee bill and elements of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee legislation into a bill for the Senate floor.  Oral health advocates have much to gain or lose from this process. Thankfully, this group consists of strong allies, including Senator Snowe.  CDHP has led 23 organizations in sending a letter to key Senators asking that oral health provisions be maintained when the two bills are combined.

The full Senate could begin consideration of health reform legislation as early as next week, although this could slip to the last week of October.  It would appear that Senator Snowe's vote for the Senate Finance Committee bill, and unanimous Democratic support in the committee increases the likelihood of moving the bill earlier on the Senate floor and enhances chances for the bill garnering the needed 60 votes.

The House is reportedly not expected to take up its health reform legislation until November.  There is speculation among some observers now about whether there will be a formal House-Senate "conference" to combine the two chambers' proposed health reform legislation.   An alternative would be for the House to pass their version bill, providing a vehicle for the Senate to use (revenue bills must originate in the House) to insert their bill, pass it, then send it back to the House.