Washington, DC remains at a standstill due to record snowfall over the past week; however, plans have been made to address the stalled health care reform process.

 
President Obama announced Sunday his invitation of both Congressional Republicans and Democrats to a bipartisan health care summit at the White House.  The half-day televised session is scheduled to take place on February 25.  While the Democrats and Republicans remain divided and the House and Senate seem to have reached an impasse regarding what provisions should be included in health care legislation, party leaders from both chambers have agreed to participate. Republican leaders, however, have voiced concern about the President's intention to center the discussions around the House and Senate passed legislation.

A draft of Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid's job-creation bill was released mid-week but will not be considered until policymakers return after the President's day recess. The bill includes a three month extension of the current COBRA premium subsidy as well as a long awaited fix to the physician fee schedule.  Absent comprehensive health care reform, it is likely that the Congress will continue to fold discrete health care reform measures into other legislative vehicles.