Healthcare Reform Stage Is Set

We highlight UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH - Snapshot Report) and Humana Inc (HUM - Analyst Report).

Congress approves budget and sets the stage for Healthcare reform

On Wednesday, April 30, 2009, the House and Senate approved a fiscal year 2010 budget that begins October 1, paving the way for healthcare reform. The budget passed the House by a vote of 233 to 193, with no Republicans in favor, and included language that would enable the Democrats to expedite under special rules the consideration of healthcare reform legislation despite Republican opposition. That said, Democratic leaders have said they will try the normal legislative route first.

The budget, as proposed by President Obama, includes $634 billion over 10 years as a "down payment" for health reform.

The House Budget Committee statement said if healthcare reform legislation could not be achieved through regular procedures, the budget's reconciliation instructions require committees to report legislation by Oct.15, providing a fall-back to ensure that initiatives can move through Congress.

With approval of the budget achieved, the real debate over healthcare reform can now commence. We expect news flow associated with the healthcare debate, and Medicare in particular, to increase over the next few weeks and a clearer picture of the future shape of US healthcare begin to emerge.

In February 2009, proposals included lowering payments to Medicare Advantage plans, offered by insurers such as UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH - Snapshot Report) and Humana Inc (HUM - Analyst Report).  We currently rate Humana a Buy.