Senate Bill 1955
Senate Rejects Effort to Cut Off Debate on Small Business Health Insurance Bill
Threat to State Parity Laws Averted – For Now In the "for what it is worth"
department, the Senate bill so many have been so concerned about has been pulled
from consideration (for now) according to a NAMI announcment. - Marsha
May 12, 2006
By a vote 55-43, the Senate rejected the effort to limit debate on S 1955,
legislation to authorize new small business health insurance plans that would
have significantly undermine laws at the state level requiring health plans to
cover treatment for mental illness on the same terms and conditions as all other
illnesses (insurance parity). The vote was on a critical parliamentary motion
to impose “cloture” — to cut off debate and move S 1955 to final passage with
very limited opportunities for amendments. In the Senate, 60 votes are required
to impose cloture, thus the motion fell five votes short.
With the prospect of unlimited Senate debate on S 1955, Majority Leader Bill
Frist (R-TN) pulled the legislation from consideration. This means that S 1955
has been derailed in the Senate. However, Senator Frist and bill sponsor
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) have the option of bringing the bill back to the full
Senate at any time.