Finance Committee adopts amendment to encourage innovative care of ailing seniors

Measure would encourage innovations for the ill

WASHINGTON — The Senate Finance Committee has adopted the first amendment to a sweeping health overhaul bill, agreeing to a measure to encourage innovative care for hospitalized Medicare patients.

Approval of the amendment by Democratic Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota came late Tuesday as Democrats struggled to push forward on the first day of debate on the legislation. Republican senators asked numerous questions and delivered remarks that delayed the process.

564 amendments have been filed on the bill, although many won’t end up being considered.

The amendment directs Medicare administrators to test projects at local hospitals to allow electronic monitoring of patients by specialists at high-quality health care centers.