Rapid action on health IT is unlikely because new hearings will be necessary, at least in the House, said Bridgett Taylor, a health specialist for the Democratic staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "There was not a lot of open process on the health IT legislation this year," she said.

Health Lawyers kicked off its Fall 2002 Conversations with Policymakers teleconference series with Yea or Nay: Congress' Fall Health Agenda, a one-hour dialogue with Congressional aides Mark Hayes and Bridgett Taylor.Taylor is a Democratic professional staff member with the House Energy and Commerce Committee.Daniels is a partner with Calfee Halter & Griswold, Cleveland, OH. Daniels engaged Hayes and Taylor in a dialogue on major health issues on the fall Congressional agenda, including the prospects for action on Medicare prescription drug coverage and provider "giveback" legislation.Following the interview, Taylor and Hayes fielded questions from teleconference participants.

Bridgett Taylor, chief health finance adviser, House Energy and Commerce Committee.Former Texan Bridgett Taylor has seen it all.She's worked on federal and state health care issues for more than three decades.Her expertise and spunk fit well with the personality of her boss, Rep.Taylor has advised Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats since 1995.Previously, she represented the HHS office of the assistant secretary for legislation during the Clinton health care debate as liaison to the Senate.Taylor was deeply involved in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, which cut Medicare and Medicaid payments; the patients' bill of rights, which aimed to give patients leverage over insurers but ultimately didn't make it through Congress; the 2003 Medicare prescription drug law; attempts to restructure and cut funds for Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor; and efforts to update the State Children's Health Insurance Program for near-poor kids.