Here's a look at some of the concessions lawmakers and interest groups won in the latest version of the Senate's health care overhaul bill...
Lawmakers
States
Interest Groups
SOURCE: Associated Press
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
House Democrats pessimistic about public option
House Democrats aren't optimistic that a government insurance plan, a central element of health care legislation passed in their chamber, will survive negotiations with the Senate.
While insisting "it's not dead," Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Sunday he recognizes realities in the Senate, where Democrats had to scrape up every vote from their side to pass a bill _ even one without a government plan to compete in the private insurance marketplace.
"Before the House was to give up the public option, we would want to be persuaded that there are other mechanisms in whatever bill comes out that will keep down premiums," said Van Hollen. "We've got to make sure that the final product is affordable."
Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and one who had appealed to President Barack Obama not to yield on the public plan, set out conditions for yielding himself.
"We want a public option to do basically three things: Create more choice for insurers, create more competition for insurance companies, and to contain costs," Clyburn said. "So if we can come up with a process by which these three things can be done, then I'm all for it. Whether or not we label it a public option or not is of no consequence."
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., underscored the divisions Democrats will need to bridge when negotiators from the House and Senate meet next month to reconcile the two bills. He said there will need to be more give on the House side than the Senate, which took weeks to find the 60 votes needed for passage.
"If we are going to have a final law, it will look a lot more like the Senate version than the House version," Menendez asserted.
SOURCE: Town Hall
While insisting "it's not dead," Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Sunday he recognizes realities in the Senate, where Democrats had to scrape up every vote from their side to pass a bill _ even one without a government plan to compete in the private insurance marketplace.
"Before the House was to give up the public option, we would want to be persuaded that there are other mechanisms in whatever bill comes out that will keep down premiums," said Van Hollen. "We've got to make sure that the final product is affordable."
Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and one who had appealed to President Barack Obama not to yield on the public plan, set out conditions for yielding himself.
"We want a public option to do basically three things: Create more choice for insurers, create more competition for insurance companies, and to contain costs," Clyburn said. "So if we can come up with a process by which these three things can be done, then I'm all for it. Whether or not we label it a public option or not is of no consequence."
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., underscored the divisions Democrats will need to bridge when negotiators from the House and Senate meet next month to reconcile the two bills. He said there will need to be more give on the House side than the Senate, which took weeks to find the 60 votes needed for passage.
"If we are going to have a final law, it will look a lot more like the Senate version than the House version," Menendez asserted.
SOURCE: Town Hall
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Final Adjournment
The first session of the 111th Congress is now over, as the House and Senate have adjourned sine die for the year.
The House will return the week of January 11 -- the Senate is back the week after that.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Best Christmas Present Ever: Senator DeMint Objects to the Appointment of the Conferees
When Senator DeMint engineered, and Republican Leader McConnell actually objected to the appointment of the conferees, he was really handing the ball off to the left wingers — progressives if you will — and now they have their shot to either hold their own clan members who are against the Senate compromises and force them to vote No, or have their policy demands be ignored and take the crumbs from Senator Nelson’s and Senator Lieberman’s table.
Now, because of the Senator DeMint’s objection, unless the House votes for the Senate bill unchanged — which is highly unlikely (see below) — then the Senate ObamaCare bill must be amended on the House floor to gain the votes they need to pass it on the House floor. And because of Senator DeMint’s objection to the appointment of the conferees, there will be no conference, or conference report.
If the House amends the Senate bill, they then have to send the amended bill back to the Senate — where all the 60 vote margin cloture votes still apply — cloture on the motion to proceed, and cloture to end the filibuster and cloture on any amendment.
SOURCE: Red State
Now, because of the Senator DeMint’s objection, unless the House votes for the Senate bill unchanged — which is highly unlikely (see below) — then the Senate ObamaCare bill must be amended on the House floor to gain the votes they need to pass it on the House floor. And because of Senator DeMint’s objection to the appointment of the conferees, there will be no conference, or conference report.
If the House amends the Senate bill, they then have to send the amended bill back to the Senate — where all the 60 vote margin cloture votes still apply — cloture on the motion to proceed, and cloture to end the filibuster and cloture on any amendment.
SOURCE: Red State
House Dems: We won't roll over
House Democrats insisted Tuesday they have no plans to roll over for the Senate in upcoming negotiations on a health reform bill, even as they acknowledged it would be all but impossible to reinsert a public insurance option or force the so-called millionaire’s tax on the Senate.
Either move would disrupt Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s no-margin-for-error 60-vote majority. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team seem to have their sights set on lower-profile – but no-less important – differences, like boosting affordability credits in the final bill and starting the insurance exchange a year earlier, which they did in the House.
On a conference call Tuesday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) walked the party’s leadership team through differences in the two bills.
Other differences the speaker mentioned Tuesday include: replacing the Senate’s state-run exchanges with a national exchange established under the House bill, adding tougher mandates to make sure everyone secures health coverage and closing a gap in prescription-drug coverage next year. Senate negotiators have agreed to close the so-called “donut hole,” but they haven’t agreed on a time to implement those changes.
SOURCE: Politico
Either move would disrupt Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s no-margin-for-error 60-vote majority. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team seem to have their sights set on lower-profile – but no-less important – differences, like boosting affordability credits in the final bill and starting the insurance exchange a year earlier, which they did in the House.
On a conference call Tuesday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) walked the party’s leadership team through differences in the two bills.
Other differences the speaker mentioned Tuesday include: replacing the Senate’s state-run exchanges with a national exchange established under the House bill, adding tougher mandates to make sure everyone secures health coverage and closing a gap in prescription-drug coverage next year. Senate negotiators have agreed to close the so-called “donut hole,” but they haven’t agreed on a time to implement those changes.
SOURCE: Politico
Obama plans for health care delay, new jobs bill
The White House privately anticipates health care talks to slip into February — past President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address — and then plans to make a “very hard pivot” to a new jobs bill, according to senior administration officials.
Obama has been told that disputes over abortion and the tight schedule are highly likely to delay a final deal, a blow to the president who had hoped to trumpet a health care victory in his big speech to the nation. But he has also been told that House Democratic leaders seem inclined, at least for now, to largely accept the compromise worked out in the Senate, virtually assuring he will eventually get a deal.
Internally, White House aides are plunging into a 2010 plan calling for an early focus on creating jobs, especially in the energy sector, along with starting a conversation about deficit reduction measures, the administration officials said.
Both will be major themes for his first State of the Union speech, which will likely take place on Jan. 26 or Feb. 2. White House aides are in the early stages of planning for the national address, but Obama will not only trumpet what he has described as his “B-plus” performance in 2009 but also set the stage for the 2010 congressional campaigns.
SOURCE: Politico
Obama has been told that disputes over abortion and the tight schedule are highly likely to delay a final deal, a blow to the president who had hoped to trumpet a health care victory in his big speech to the nation. But he has also been told that House Democratic leaders seem inclined, at least for now, to largely accept the compromise worked out in the Senate, virtually assuring he will eventually get a deal.
Internally, White House aides are plunging into a 2010 plan calling for an early focus on creating jobs, especially in the energy sector, along with starting a conversation about deficit reduction measures, the administration officials said.
Both will be major themes for his first State of the Union speech, which will likely take place on Jan. 26 or Feb. 2. White House aides are in the early stages of planning for the national address, but Obama will not only trumpet what he has described as his “B-plus” performance in 2009 but also set the stage for the 2010 congressional campaigns.
SOURCE: Politico
Senate Passes Sweeping Health-Care Bill
The Senate approved sweeping health-overhaul legislation on Thursday, a landmark moment for White House-led efforts to expand insurance coverage to more than 30 million Americans.
The bill, approved by a 60-39 vote, would deliver on a long-promised Democratic goal of extending coverage to nearly every American, and would represent the biggest expansion of the federal safety net since the 1965 creation of Medicare, the health insurance program for the elderly and disabled.
Thursday's vote was a victory for President Barack Obama, who made the issue his top domestic priority despite lingering divisions among Democrats and the fierce opposition of Republicans. And it was a validation of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's decision to build consensus on his side of the aisle, rather than reach across party lines, a move that would have forced a lowering of ambitions.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
The bill, approved by a 60-39 vote, would deliver on a long-promised Democratic goal of extending coverage to nearly every American, and would represent the biggest expansion of the federal safety net since the 1965 creation of Medicare, the health insurance program for the elderly and disabled.
Thursday's vote was a victory for President Barack Obama, who made the issue his top domestic priority despite lingering divisions among Democrats and the fierce opposition of Republicans. And it was a validation of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's decision to build consensus on his side of the aisle, rather than reach across party lines, a move that would have forced a lowering of ambitions.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Senior Dem: Kill the Senate health reform bill and start over
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), the chairwoman of the House Rules Committee and co-chairwoman of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, said that the Senate's bill is so flawed that it's unlikely to be resolved in conference with the bill to have passed the House.
"The Senate health care bill is not worthy of the historic vote that the House took a month ago," Slaughter wrote in an opinion piece for CNN's website.
Slaughter argued that while the House bill is far from perfect, the Senate bill's exclusion of a public option, along with abortion funding restrictions and other measures, make the bill undeserving of a vote.
[...] Update, 2:54 p.m.: A Senate Republican aide chimed in on Slaughter: "Unfortunately for moderate Democrats, all the sweetheart deals in the world couldn’t help you win an election when voters from across the political spectrum hate you because of your support for this disastrous bill."
SOURCE: The Hill
"The Senate health care bill is not worthy of the historic vote that the House took a month ago," Slaughter wrote in an opinion piece for CNN's website.
Slaughter argued that while the House bill is far from perfect, the Senate bill's exclusion of a public option, along with abortion funding restrictions and other measures, make the bill undeserving of a vote.
[...] Update, 2:54 p.m.: A Senate Republican aide chimed in on Slaughter: "Unfortunately for moderate Democrats, all the sweetheart deals in the world couldn’t help you win an election when voters from across the political spectrum hate you because of your support for this disastrous bill."
SOURCE: The Hill
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
For Their Next Trick
Look for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to try to circumvent the traditional conference committee process by which the different versions of health care reform passed by each house will be reconciled. If so, it will be the latest example of violating principles of transparency and accountability in the single-minded pursuit of legislative victory.
Conferences involving members from both houses are messy things. They are usually conducted in public and often televised, and can produce a compromise version of the bill that leaves rank-and-file members tempted to vote against the final version. That could be perilous in the case of health care since it's likely to pass without a vote to spare in the Senate and the House's version passed by only five votes...
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Conferences involving members from both houses are messy things. They are usually conducted in public and often televised, and can produce a compromise version of the bill that leaves rank-and-file members tempted to vote against the final version. That could be perilous in the case of health care since it's likely to pass without a vote to spare in the Senate and the House's version passed by only five votes...
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Reid, McConnell Reach Deal to Adjourn Early
Senate Republicans have agreed to end their filibuster of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health care reform bill a few hours early, allowing for a vote at 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
GOP Press Conference:
SOURCE: Roll Call
GOP Press Conference:
SOURCE: Roll Call
More Senate Votes
After a cloture vote at 1 am on Monday, this time the votes begin at sunrise, as the Senate first votes on the latest health care amendments offered by Democrats. Then there will be a second cloture vote on the underlying substitute amendment for the health care.On Monday, Democrats urged Republicans to cut short their Senate battle on health care, and allow a final vote before Christmas.
Under the Senate rules, the GOP could stretch out the debate until Thursday night, on Christmas Eve, but some Senators say there is no reason for lawmakers to ruin their holiday and that of their Senate staffers as well.
The schedule looks like this:
- Tuesday 7:20 am - two votes as detailed above, then 30 hours of debate
- Wednesday 2 pm - two more votes, one on the substitute amendment, and then a cloture vote to shut off debate on the bill
- Thursday 8-9 pm - final approval of the health care bill on Christmas Eve
Negative Reviews Of Senate Bill
In the wake of the Senate vote to end cloture on the health care bill, numerous analysts have chimed in with negative reviews. Here are some excerpts from a few of them:
Passing health reform could be a nightmare for Obama (Samuelson, Washington Post, 12/21/2009):
Change Nobody Believes In (Wall Street Journal, 12/21/2009):
The WSJ also criticizes the following specific elements:
Finally, this essay has been circulating around the blogosphere: Why the Reid Bill is Unconstitutional (Richard Epstein, 12/12/2009). His central point:
The big question is whether these arguments will gain any traction against the back room deal-making by the politicians. We'll find out soon...
SOURCE: We Stand FIRM
Passing health reform could be a nightmare for Obama (Samuelson, Washington Post, 12/21/2009):
...Even if Congress passes legislation -- a good bet -- the finished product will fall far short of Obama's extravagant promises. It will not cover everyone. It will not control costs. It will worsen the budget outlook. It will lead to higher taxes. It will disrupt how, or whether, companies provide insurance for their workers. As the real-life (as opposed to rhetorical) consequences unfold, they will rebut Obama's claim that he has "solved" the health-care problem.
Change Nobody Believes In (Wall Street Journal, 12/21/2009):
...The rushed, secretive way that a bill this destructive and unpopular is being forced on the country shows that "reform" has devolved into the raw exercise of political power for the single purpose of permanently expanding the American entitlement state.
The WSJ also criticizes the following specific elements:
Health costs
Steep declines in choice and quality
Blowing up the federal fisc
Political intimidation
Finally, this essay has been circulating around the blogosphere: Why the Reid Bill is Unconstitutional (Richard Epstein, 12/12/2009). His central point:
In effect, the onerous obligations under the Reid Bill would convert private health insurance companies into virtual public utilities. This action is not only a source of real anxiety but also a decision of constitutional proportions, for it systematically strips the regulated health-insurance issuers of their constitutional entitlement to earn a reasonable rate of return on the massive amounts of capital that they have already invested in building out their businesses.
The big question is whether these arguments will gain any traction against the back room deal-making by the politicians. We'll find out soon...
SOURCE: We Stand FIRM
Democrats Face Challenge in Merging Health Bills
Sixty-four House Democrats, representing one-fourth of the House Democratic caucus, voted for stringent restrictions on insurance coverage of abortion. And 41 of them voted for passage of the House bill, so they constitute a crucial bloc. The bill was approved, 220 to 215, on Nov. 7.
But leading supporters of abortion rights in the House said they would not vote for a final bill if it included those restrictions, which they fear would curtail access to abortion for many women who already have insurance.
The House bill would establish a tax surcharge on income over $500,000 for individuals and over $1 million for couples. The Senate bill would tax high-cost employer-sponsored health plans and increase the Medicare payroll tax on individuals with incomes over $200,000 and couples over $250,000.
Lawmakers said they could envision a compromise mixing the two approaches.
More than 190 House members have gone on record against the Senate’s proposed excise tax on “Cadillac health plans,” which is also opposed by organized labor. But the White House and some health economists say the tax could help control health costs by encouraging employers to shop for cheaper policies that would not be hit by the tax.
It is unclear whether the House and the Senate will appoint a formal conference committee or just try to work out their differences in negotiations with Democratic leaders and committee chairmen from the two chambers. In any event, White House officials expect to play a huge role.
SOURCE: New York Times
But leading supporters of abortion rights in the House said they would not vote for a final bill if it included those restrictions, which they fear would curtail access to abortion for many women who already have insurance.
The House bill would establish a tax surcharge on income over $500,000 for individuals and over $1 million for couples. The Senate bill would tax high-cost employer-sponsored health plans and increase the Medicare payroll tax on individuals with incomes over $200,000 and couples over $250,000.
Lawmakers said they could envision a compromise mixing the two approaches.
More than 190 House members have gone on record against the Senate’s proposed excise tax on “Cadillac health plans,” which is also opposed by organized labor. But the White House and some health economists say the tax could help control health costs by encouraging employers to shop for cheaper policies that would not be hit by the tax.
It is unclear whether the House and the Senate will appoint a formal conference committee or just try to work out their differences in negotiations with Democratic leaders and committee chairmen from the two chambers. In any event, White House officials expect to play a huge role.
SOURCE: New York Times
Monday, December 21, 2009
ACORN Qualifies for Funding in Senate Health Care Bill
Senator Roland Burris is claiming credit for a provision in Harry Reid's "manager's amendment," unveiled Saturday morning, that could funnel money to ACORN through the health care bill.
On December 9, Burris, an Illinois Democrat, pledged that he would filibuster a health care bill without a public option. "If we have to get 60 and it comes back and it does not have a public option in it, I will not vote for it," he said. Then early last week he said he could vote for the bill if there were changes made to achieve the goals of the public option: "until this bill addresses cost, competition, and accountability in a meaningful way—it will not win [my vote]."
Asked last night before the Senate voted why he was planning to support a bill without a public option, Burris said: "We have a great bill--the best we could get. And it also covers most of our concerns: competition, cost, and accountability." But had anything specifically changed in the text of the bill that helped him change his mind? Burris told THE WEEKLY STANDARD: "It was the disparity provision that was put in, which we had something to do with, in terms of making sure that diabetes and the other diseases that are affecting minorities are really studied by HHS in all of these pilot programs."
SOURCE: The Weekly Standard
On December 9, Burris, an Illinois Democrat, pledged that he would filibuster a health care bill without a public option. "If we have to get 60 and it comes back and it does not have a public option in it, I will not vote for it," he said. Then early last week he said he could vote for the bill if there were changes made to achieve the goals of the public option: "until this bill addresses cost, competition, and accountability in a meaningful way—it will not win [my vote]."
Asked last night before the Senate voted why he was planning to support a bill without a public option, Burris said: "We have a great bill--the best we could get. And it also covers most of our concerns: competition, cost, and accountability." But had anything specifically changed in the text of the bill that helped him change his mind? Burris told THE WEEKLY STANDARD: "It was the disparity provision that was put in, which we had something to do with, in terms of making sure that diabetes and the other diseases that are affecting minorities are really studied by HHS in all of these pilot programs."
SOURCE: The Weekly Standard
Health Bill Passes Key Test in the Senate With 60 Votes
After a long day of acid, partisan debate, Senate Democrats held ranks early Monday in a dead-of-night procedural vote that proved they had locked in the decisive margin needed to pass a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health care system.
The roll was called shortly after 1 a.m., with Washington still snowbound after a weekend blizzard, and the Senate voted on party lines to cut off a Republican filibuster of a package of changes to the health care bill by the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada.
The vote was 60 to 40 — a tally that is expected to be repeated four times as further procedural hurdles are cleared in the days ahead, and then once more in a dramatic, if predictable, finale tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
SOURCE: New York Times
The roll was called shortly after 1 a.m., with Washington still snowbound after a weekend blizzard, and the Senate voted on party lines to cut off a Republican filibuster of a package of changes to the health care bill by the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada.
The vote was 60 to 40 — a tally that is expected to be repeated four times as further procedural hurdles are cleared in the days ahead, and then once more in a dramatic, if predictable, finale tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
SOURCE: New York Times
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Democrats Clinch Deal for Deciding Vote on Health Bill
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would cost $871 billion over 10 years, with the expense more than offset by revenues from new taxes and fees and by reductions in government spending, particularly on Medicare.
The budget office said the bill would reduce future deficits by $132 billion over that period.
Republicans have accused Democrats of using accounting tricks to hide the true cost of the measure, which they predicted would be huge, particularly if Congress did not follow through with the Medicare cuts.
In place of the public option, the Senate bill would create at least two national insurance plans modeled after those offered to federal workers, including members of Congress. The bill includes a new government-run long-term-care insurance program. And it imposes tight new regulations on the health insurance industry, barring insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and limiting how much extra they can charge based on age.
Mr. Reid, racing to complete the bill by his self-imposed holiday deadline, on Saturday morning introduced a 383-page package of amendments, including the provisions needed to win Mr. Nelson’s support.
Republicans, who vowed to use every procedural weapon to stop the bill, immediately forced a reading of Mr. Reid’s proposal, which wrapped up shortly before 4 p.m. The Senate adjourned about two hours later on track for a crucial procedural vote at 1 a.m. Monday and a final vote on Christmas Eve...
SOURCE: New York Times
The budget office said the bill would reduce future deficits by $132 billion over that period.
Republicans have accused Democrats of using accounting tricks to hide the true cost of the measure, which they predicted would be huge, particularly if Congress did not follow through with the Medicare cuts.
In place of the public option, the Senate bill would create at least two national insurance plans modeled after those offered to federal workers, including members of Congress. The bill includes a new government-run long-term-care insurance program. And it imposes tight new regulations on the health insurance industry, barring insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and limiting how much extra they can charge based on age.
Mr. Reid, racing to complete the bill by his self-imposed holiday deadline, on Saturday morning introduced a 383-page package of amendments, including the provisions needed to win Mr. Nelson’s support.
Republicans, who vowed to use every procedural weapon to stop the bill, immediately forced a reading of Mr. Reid’s proposal, which wrapped up shortly before 4 p.m. The Senate adjourned about two hours later on track for a crucial procedural vote at 1 a.m. Monday and a final vote on Christmas Eve...
SOURCE: New York Times
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sen. Ben Nelson to announce support for health-care bill
Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the final Democratic holdout on health care, was prepared to announce to his caucus Saturday morning that he would support the Senate reform bill, clearing the way for final passage by Christmas.
"We're there," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), as he headed into a special meeting to announce the deal.
Democratic leaders spent days trying to hammer out a deal with Nelson, and worked late Friday night with Nelson on abortion coverage language that had proved the major stumbling block. But Nelson also secured other favors for his home state.
Asked if he was prepared to support the bill, Nelson said, "Yeah."
SOURCE: Washington Post
"We're there," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), as he headed into a special meeting to announce the deal.
Democratic leaders spent days trying to hammer out a deal with Nelson, and worked late Friday night with Nelson on abortion coverage language that had proved the major stumbling block. But Nelson also secured other favors for his home state.
Asked if he was prepared to support the bill, Nelson said, "Yeah."
SOURCE: Washington Post
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Midnight Oil
Monday morning at 1:01 am, there would be the first of three cloture motions to limit debate on the health care bill. Three are needed because of the way the amendments have been arranged by Democrats.
30 hours later at 7 am on Tuesday morning, there could be final action on the first amendment, followed by a cloture vote on the second amendment.
30 hours later at 1 pm on Wednesday, there would be a final vote on the second amendment, followed by a cloture vote on the underlying health care amendment.
30 hours after that around 8pm on Christmas Eve, there would be final action on the bill.
But that's only if everything goes according to plan.
And only if Democrats really do have 60 votes. And some final legislative language. And a cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
Right now, they don't have any of that. So we'll see how long the midnight oil really burns.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
30 hours later at 7 am on Tuesday morning, there could be final action on the first amendment, followed by a cloture vote on the second amendment.
30 hours later at 1 pm on Wednesday, there would be a final vote on the second amendment, followed by a cloture vote on the underlying health care amendment.
30 hours after that around 8pm on Christmas Eve, there would be final action on the bill.
But that's only if everything goes according to plan.
And only if Democrats really do have 60 votes. And some final legislative language. And a cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
Right now, they don't have any of that. So we'll see how long the midnight oil really burns.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Obama faces healthcare insurrection from left flank
Leading the grousing from the left has been Howard Dean, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who ran unsuccessfully for his party's presidential nomination in 2004.
Dean, a medical doctor and former governor of Vermont, in recent days has said a Senate healthcare bill that Obama supports and which is lurching toward a possible vote in coming days should be killed.
Dean and others on the left argue that the Senate legislation does not permit competition with medical insurance companies, would expand private insurers' grip on healthcare and does not really amount to reform.
His complaint came because Senate leaders have ditched a plan for a government-run insurance plan and a measure that would allow people under 65 to buy into the Medicare government insurance plan for the elderly.
SOURCE: Reuters
Dean, a medical doctor and former governor of Vermont, in recent days has said a Senate healthcare bill that Obama supports and which is lurching toward a possible vote in coming days should be killed.
Dean and others on the left argue that the Senate legislation does not permit competition with medical insurance companies, would expand private insurers' grip on healthcare and does not really amount to reform.
His complaint came because Senate leaders have ditched a plan for a government-run insurance plan and a measure that would allow people under 65 to buy into the Medicare government insurance plan for the elderly.
SOURCE: Reuters
Nelson rejects abortion compromise as 'insufficient'
Sen. Ben Nelson told a Nebraska radio station today that the compromise language on abortion doesn't go far enough.
Speaking on KLIN, Nelson said he received compromise language from Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who also opposes abortion. However, Nelson said: "As it is right now, without further modifications, it isn't sufficient."
Nelson said the Democratic leadership has "added some important things," including more funding to combat teen-age pregnancy and an increased tax credit for low-income families to adopt children. He says there has been a "lot of improvement on the legislation, but the basic question on the funding of abortion has not been fully answered yet."
SOURCE: USA Today Politics
Speaking on KLIN, Nelson said he received compromise language from Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who also opposes abortion. However, Nelson said: "As it is right now, without further modifications, it isn't sufficient."
Nelson said the Democratic leadership has "added some important things," including more funding to combat teen-age pregnancy and an increased tax credit for low-income families to adopt children. He says there has been a "lot of improvement on the legislation, but the basic question on the funding of abortion has not been fully answered yet."
SOURCE: USA Today Politics
Union pulls back on supporting bill
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) backed out of an event with other organizations promoting the Senate healthcare reform bill Wednesday over concerns about changes made to the legislation to accommodate centrist Democrats.
The SEIU had planned to participate in a Capitol Hill press conference along with the AARP, the liberal advocacy group Families USA, Consumers Union and the American Cancer Society Action Network. As recently as Tuesday morning, the organizations distributed an advisory to the news media that included the SEIU.
But the move by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to excise provisions of the healthcare reform bill to create a government-run public option health insurance program and to allow people between 55 and 64 years old to buy into Medicare gave the labor union pause, spokeswoman Lori Lodes said...
SOURCE: The Hill
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Liberal Revolt
The grumbling from liberals started weeks ago on the direction of health care reform in the Senate. It went away for a little while, but now there are prominent voices in the Democratic Party who have a simple message: "Kill the Senate Bill."
That was also the message from Tea Party protestors who gathered across the street from the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, chanting "Kill the Bill" in hopes of changing some minds.
But this is not about those opponents of health care reform.
Rather, this is about a prime supporter of reform, who has now decided that without a public option and without a Medicare buy-in, the bill is not worth supporting.
"This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate," said Howard Dean, the former Governor of Vermont.
"Honestly the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill, go back to the House, start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill," Dean told Vermont Public Radio.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
That was also the message from Tea Party protestors who gathered across the street from the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, chanting "Kill the Bill" in hopes of changing some minds.
But this is not about those opponents of health care reform.
Rather, this is about a prime supporter of reform, who has now decided that without a public option and without a Medicare buy-in, the bill is not worth supporting.
"This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate," said Howard Dean, the former Governor of Vermont.
"Honestly the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill, go back to the House, start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill," Dean told Vermont Public Radio.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
GOP senator freezes health care debate
As Democrats scrambled to meet self-imposed deadlines, Senate Republicans froze the health care debate for at least a day Wednesday by insisting that a 767-page mega-amendment be read out loud in its entirety.
The move was poised take 12 hours or more and grind Senate business to a halt for the day. It also threatened Democrats' ability to pass a health care bill before Christmas.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, set things in motion about lunchtime Wednesday. As the Senate moved to a sweeping single-payer amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, Coburn objected to the common Senate procedure that waives the actual out-loud reading of the proposal.
"I would ask that the amendment be considered as read," Sanders said on the floor.
"I object," Coburn instantly responded.
Senate clerks began with the table of contents and took turns reciting the rest of the bill.
Coburn defended the tactic in a written statement, saying that Americans should hear competing proposals and that the health care debate needed to slow down.
SOURCE: CNN Politics
The move was poised take 12 hours or more and grind Senate business to a halt for the day. It also threatened Democrats' ability to pass a health care bill before Christmas.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, set things in motion about lunchtime Wednesday. As the Senate moved to a sweeping single-payer amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, Coburn objected to the common Senate procedure that waives the actual out-loud reading of the proposal.
"I would ask that the amendment be considered as read," Sanders said on the floor.
"I object," Coburn instantly responded.
Senate clerks began with the table of contents and took turns reciting the rest of the bill.
Coburn defended the tactic in a written statement, saying that Americans should hear competing proposals and that the health care debate needed to slow down.
SOURCE: CNN Politics
McConnell Press Conference
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) conducted a press conference on Capitol Hill to discuss the ongoing debate over the crafting of health care legislation.
GOP Press Conference:
SOURCE: C-SPAN
GOP Press Conference:
SOURCE: C-SPAN
Poll: Public sours on Obama's overhaul plan
As Democrats struggle to pass a health care overhaul bill by Christmas, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Tuesday found support for the reform plan has sunk to its lowest level since April 2009.
Just 32 percent of respondents said that President Barack Obama's health care overhaul proposal is a good idea, with 47 percent responding that the plan is a bad idea.
A portion of the poll was released just as the Senate was thrust into health care gridlock after a Republican senator forced a clerk to read aloud a 767-page amendment.
Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma had sought approval to require that any amendment considered by the Senate must be offered 72 hours in advance and with a full cost report.
When he was rebuffed by Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, Coburn invoked his right to require that an amendment by another lawmaker be read aloud. That sent the Senate into limbo, since the amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, is 767 pages long.
It's unclear how long the procedural standoff will continue. GOP aides told NBC News that the reading of the bill could take until midnight.
SOURCE: MSNBC
Just 32 percent of respondents said that President Barack Obama's health care overhaul proposal is a good idea, with 47 percent responding that the plan is a bad idea.
A portion of the poll was released just as the Senate was thrust into health care gridlock after a Republican senator forced a clerk to read aloud a 767-page amendment.
Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma had sought approval to require that any amendment considered by the Senate must be offered 72 hours in advance and with a full cost report.
When he was rebuffed by Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, Coburn invoked his right to require that an amendment by another lawmaker be read aloud. That sent the Senate into limbo, since the amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, is 767 pages long.
It's unclear how long the procedural standoff will continue. GOP aides told NBC News that the reading of the bill could take until midnight.
SOURCE: MSNBC
What the Health Care Bill Means for You
With the House having passed its $1 trillion dollar-plus heath care bill and the Senate poised to approve its own $850 billion version as early as Christmas, a broad rewrite of America's health care system — encompassing nearly 20% of the U.S. economy — could be close at hand.
If the Senate approves its version, which is expected given the Democrats' 60-seat majority, the package will have to be merged with legislation approved last month by the House. But similarities between the two bills are starting to emerge.
Here, David M. Drucker of the newspaper Roll Call provides a rundown of what the final bill will likely include, while Michael D. Tanner, a Cato Institute senior fellow and co-author of Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It, provides perspective on what those changes mean for you...
SOURCE: Cato Institute
If the Senate approves its version, which is expected given the Democrats' 60-seat majority, the package will have to be merged with legislation approved last month by the House. But similarities between the two bills are starting to emerge.
Here, David M. Drucker of the newspaper Roll Call provides a rundown of what the final bill will likely include, while Michael D. Tanner, a Cato Institute senior fellow and co-author of Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It, provides perspective on what those changes mean for you...
SOURCE: Cato Institute
Dems ready to push health bill despite setbacks
History may be calling but time's running out to act by Christmas, so Senate Democrats are trying to come to terms with the idea they won't get everything they want from a health care overhaul.
Should they listen to former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean, slamming the Senate bill as an insurance industry bailout? Or should they pay attention to President Barack Obama, saying the legislation achieves most of what he wants? With each day that senators churn on, the public's doubts about the legislation only seem to grow, polls indicate.
Obama cajoled restive Democrats on Tuesday, urging them not to lose perspective amid intense intraparty battles over government's role and reach in health care. The public plan liberals hoped for appeared dead in the Senate, as did a Medicare buy-in scheme offered as a fallback.
"The president and vice president pointed out that you take your victories when you can and nothing prevents you from fighting on for the things you believe should have been achieved," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. "But why spurn a victory in hand?"
"There was frustration and angst," Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., a leading liberal, said after the meeting at the White House. "Everybody has things they want, and they didn't all get what they want and that includes me, big-time."
But Obama got their attention, said Rockefeller, describing a health care remake to cover tens of millions now uninsured as "the biggest thing since Social Security."
"It's hard to ignore that," Rockefeller said.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., a moderate who had been on the fence, said Tuesday night it's time to pass the bill.
But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was still scrambling to secure the 60 votes he needs to overcome a Republican filibuster. One holdout — Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman — was coming around fast. Another — Nebraska moderate Sen. Ben Nelson — was still uncommitted, criticizing the bill's restrictions on abortion funding as too lax, even after a private meeting with the president Tuesday...
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Should they listen to former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean, slamming the Senate bill as an insurance industry bailout? Or should they pay attention to President Barack Obama, saying the legislation achieves most of what he wants? With each day that senators churn on, the public's doubts about the legislation only seem to grow, polls indicate.
Obama cajoled restive Democrats on Tuesday, urging them not to lose perspective amid intense intraparty battles over government's role and reach in health care. The public plan liberals hoped for appeared dead in the Senate, as did a Medicare buy-in scheme offered as a fallback.
"The president and vice president pointed out that you take your victories when you can and nothing prevents you from fighting on for the things you believe should have been achieved," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. "But why spurn a victory in hand?"
"There was frustration and angst," Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., a leading liberal, said after the meeting at the White House. "Everybody has things they want, and they didn't all get what they want and that includes me, big-time."
But Obama got their attention, said Rockefeller, describing a health care remake to cover tens of millions now uninsured as "the biggest thing since Social Security."
"It's hard to ignore that," Rockefeller said.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., a moderate who had been on the fence, said Tuesday night it's time to pass the bill.
But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was still scrambling to secure the 60 votes he needs to overcome a Republican filibuster. One holdout — Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman — was coming around fast. Another — Nebraska moderate Sen. Ben Nelson — was still uncommitted, criticizing the bill's restrictions on abortion funding as too lax, even after a private meeting with the president Tuesday...
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lieberman indicates support for health bill
Independent Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman says he expects to support the Democrats' health care legislation as long as any government-run insurance plan stays out of the bill.
Lieberman has been a question mark on the health care legislation for months. To win him over, Senate leaders said late Monday they were backing away from a Medicare expansion Lieberman opposed. They already had dropped a full-blown government insurance program.
Lieberman told reporters Tuesday that if the Medicare expansion and government insurance plan are gone, "I'm going to be in a position where I can say what I've wanted to say all along: that I'm ready to vote for health care reform."
Senate leaders need Lieberman's support to secure 60 votes necessary to advance the legislation in the 100-member Senate.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Lieberman has been a question mark on the health care legislation for months. To win him over, Senate leaders said late Monday they were backing away from a Medicare expansion Lieberman opposed. They already had dropped a full-blown government insurance program.
Lieberman told reporters Tuesday that if the Medicare expansion and government insurance plan are gone, "I'm going to be in a position where I can say what I've wanted to say all along: that I'm ready to vote for health care reform."
Senate leaders need Lieberman's support to secure 60 votes necessary to advance the legislation in the 100-member Senate.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Dems against Dems in health care vote struggle
President Barack Obama, the fate of his top domestic priority in doubt, invited all Senate Democrats to a meeting at the White House complex on Tuesday — possibly the final day for an agreement if the legislation is to clear the Senate before Christmas.
In the interim, the president's Monday schedule included a meeting with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who has been trying to negotiate a compromise on the abortion issue with Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Both senators oppose abortions, but Nelson has been outspoken in demanding changes in the bill before he can vote for it.
The overall measure, costing nearly $1 trillion over a decade, is designed to expand coverage and ban the insurance industry practice of denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions. Obama has also urged Congress to slow the rate of growth in health care spending nationally, and several days after Reid submitted a package of revisions, lawmakers awaited final word from the Congressional Budget Office on that point.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
In the interim, the president's Monday schedule included a meeting with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who has been trying to negotiate a compromise on the abortion issue with Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Both senators oppose abortions, but Nelson has been outspoken in demanding changes in the bill before he can vote for it.
The overall measure, costing nearly $1 trillion over a decade, is designed to expand coverage and ban the insurance industry practice of denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions. Obama has also urged Congress to slow the rate of growth in health care spending nationally, and several days after Reid submitted a package of revisions, lawmakers awaited final word from the Congressional Budget Office on that point.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Monday, December 14, 2009
Doubts grow over Senate's Christmas deadline for healthcare reform
Reid is expected to offer a manager’s amendment that would include various changes to the healthcare bill, such as a recent compromise to replace the public option with an expansion of Medicare allowing people between the ages of 55 and 64 years old to buy coverage.
Democrats would have to file a motion to cut off a GOP filibuster of the manager’s amendment; a cloture motion on the 2,074-page Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and finally a motion to end debate on the underlying legislative vehicle, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act.
Senate Democrats also have to wait for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to return a cost analysis on the compromise Reid brokered to replace the public option with the Medicare expansion and a new exchange national insurance plans to be administered by the Office of Personnel Management.
“The longer the CBO takes, the less time we’ll have to go home before Christmas but we need to finish this bill by Christmas and that’s our goal,” said Durbin.
Reid’s staff have told Democratic lobbyists and allies that they plan to pass the healthcare bill by Dec. 22 or 23. But to meet that timeline, Reid would have to receive a score on his manager’s amendment by early next week and would have to begin the laborious process of filing for cloture on Wednesday.
Adding to the complicated mix, Senate Democrats also have to pass important legislation that would be attached to the Department of Defense appropriations bill, including an increase of the federal debt limit and an extension of unemployment benefits, which have begun to expire for thousands of constituents.
Filing cloture and holding a final vote on this package gives Reid one fewer day of leeway.
SOURCE: The Hill
Democrats would have to file a motion to cut off a GOP filibuster of the manager’s amendment; a cloture motion on the 2,074-page Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and finally a motion to end debate on the underlying legislative vehicle, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act.
Senate Democrats also have to wait for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to return a cost analysis on the compromise Reid brokered to replace the public option with the Medicare expansion and a new exchange national insurance plans to be administered by the Office of Personnel Management.
“The longer the CBO takes, the less time we’ll have to go home before Christmas but we need to finish this bill by Christmas and that’s our goal,” said Durbin.
Reid’s staff have told Democratic lobbyists and allies that they plan to pass the healthcare bill by Dec. 22 or 23. But to meet that timeline, Reid would have to receive a score on his manager’s amendment by early next week and would have to begin the laborious process of filing for cloture on Wednesday.
Adding to the complicated mix, Senate Democrats also have to pass important legislation that would be attached to the Department of Defense appropriations bill, including an increase of the federal debt limit and an extension of unemployment benefits, which have begun to expire for thousands of constituents.
Filing cloture and holding a final vote on this package gives Reid one fewer day of leeway.
SOURCE: The Hill
White House to Harry Reid: Cut deal with Joe Lieberman
The White House is encouraging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to cut a deal with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), which would mean eliminating the proposed Medicare expansion in the health reform bill, according to an official close to the negotiations.
But Reid is described as so frustrated with Lieberman that he is not ready to sacrifice a key element of the health care bill, and first wants to see the Congressional Budget Office cost analysis of the Medicare buy-in. The analysis is expected early this week.
"There is a weariness and a lot of frustration that one person is holding up the will of 59 others," the official said. “There is still too much anger and confusion at one particular senator’s reversal.”
The White House denied that it was pressuring Reid to cut a deal with Lieberman and said there was no difference of opinion about how to move forward on reform.
“The report is inaccurate,” said White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer in a statement. “The White House is not pushing Senator Reid in any direction. We are working hand-in-hand with the Senate leadership to work through the various issues and pass health reform as soon as possible.”
SOURCE: Politico
Number-two Senate Democrat 'in the dark' about health care bill
Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin admitted Friday that he is "in the dark" about the national health care bill currently under construction by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In an exchange on the Senate floor, Republican Sen. John McCain asked Durbin, "Should we not at least be informed as to what the proposal is that the Senate Majority Leader is going to propose to the entire Senate?" Durbin's answer: "I would say to the senator from Arizona that I am in the dark almost as much as he is, and I am in the leadership." Durbin explained that during a Democratic caucus, Reid and the small group of senators involved in crafting the bill turned to their fellow Democrats and "basically stood and said, 'We are sorry, we can't tell you in detail what was involved.'"
"Isn't that a very unusual process?" asked McCain, noting that "we are discussing one-sixth of the gross national product; the bill before us has been a product of almost a year of sausage-making. Yet here we are at a position on December 12, with a proposal that none of us, except, I understand, one person, the Majority Leader, knows what the final parameters are, much less informing the American people. I don't get it."
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
"Isn't that a very unusual process?" asked McCain, noting that "we are discussing one-sixth of the gross national product; the bill before us has been a product of almost a year of sausage-making. Yet here we are at a position on December 12, with a proposal that none of us, except, I understand, one person, the Majority Leader, knows what the final parameters are, much less informing the American people. I don't get it."
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Lieberman resists Medicare buy-in plan
Senate Democrats who thought they had found a workable compromise on health care reform learned otherwise from independent Sen. Joe Lieberman over the weekend.
The Connecticut senator, whose vote is critical to the bill's prospects, threatened Sunday to join Republicans in opposing health care legislation if it permits uninsured individuals as young to 55 to purchase Medicare coverage.
Lieberman expressed his opposition twice Sunday: first in an interview with CBS, and more strongly later, according to Democratic officials, in a private meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid, who is hoping to pass the legislation by Christmas, needs 60 votes to overcome Republican objections and has been counting on Lieberman to provide one.
But appearing on CBS, Lieberman said of the Medicare proposal, "Though I don't know exactly what's in it, from what I hear, I certainly would have a hard time voting for it because it has some of the same infirmities that the public option did.
"It will add taxpayer costs. It will add to the deficit. It's unnecessary," he added of a provision that Reid last week hailed as part of a breakthrough between liberals and moderates.
Democratic aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lieberman later told Reid he would support a Republican-led filibuster against the bill if it contained the Medicare provision or permitted the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies.
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Health care loophole would allow coverage limits
A loophole in the Senate health care bill would let insurers place annual dollar limits on medical care for people struggling with costly illnesses such as cancer, prompting a rebuke from patient advocates.
The legislation that originally passed the Senate health committee last summer would have banned such limits, but a tweak to that provision weakened it in the bill now moving toward a Senate vote.
As currently written, the Senate Democratic health care bill would permit insurance companies to place annual limits on the dollar value of medical care, as long as those limits are not "unreasonable." The bill does not define what level of limits would be allowable, delegating that task to administration officials.
Adding to the puzzle, the new language was quietly tucked away in a clause in the bill still captioned "No lifetime or annual limits."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The legislation that originally passed the Senate health committee last summer would have banned such limits, but a tweak to that provision weakened it in the bill now moving toward a Senate vote.
As currently written, the Senate Democratic health care bill would permit insurance companies to place annual limits on the dollar value of medical care, as long as those limits are not "unreasonable." The bill does not define what level of limits would be allowable, delegating that task to administration officials.
Adding to the puzzle, the new language was quietly tucked away in a clause in the bill still captioned "No lifetime or annual limits."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Friday, December 11, 2009
Health Care Detour
Meanwhile, reports surfaced last night that Democrats are now consindering changes to the "deal" of earlier this week on health care, after complaints from hospital and doctors groups.
In other words, the Democratic "deal" is still evolving, even as the Congressional Budget Office runs the cost estimates.
As for the plans of Democrats, the word is that they may go for the gusto next week, and force cloture votes on the health care bill, even though little progress has been made on it.
If they can get 60 votes, then they will pass the bill, and maybe try to jam through a final conference report before the end of the year.
We'll see if they can actually pull that off or not. If the numbers are okay from the CBO, it may be possible.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
In other words, the Democratic "deal" is still evolving, even as the Congressional Budget Office runs the cost estimates.
As for the plans of Democrats, the word is that they may go for the gusto next week, and force cloture votes on the health care bill, even though little progress has been made on it.
If they can get 60 votes, then they will pass the bill, and maybe try to jam through a final conference report before the end of the year.
We'll see if they can actually pull that off or not. If the numbers are okay from the CBO, it may be possible.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Speaker Pelosi: We would do 'almost anything' to pass healthcare this year
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) laid out a scenario Thursday in which the massive overhaul of the nation's health system could pass by the end of the year.
If the Senate were to pass a bill by next Thursday, Dec. 17, she said, the House and Senate could conduct a conference committee during the next weekend and pass it before New Year's Day.
“I think we would do almost anything if it meant we would pass healthcare for all Americans before the Christmas holidays,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference. “It may be that we can’t, and it will have to be a New Year's present to the American people. But as soon as we can, we will.”
SOURCE: The Hill
If the Senate were to pass a bill by next Thursday, Dec. 17, she said, the House and Senate could conduct a conference committee during the next weekend and pass it before New Year's Day.
“I think we would do almost anything if it meant we would pass healthcare for all Americans before the Christmas holidays,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference. “It may be that we can’t, and it will have to be a New Year's present to the American people. But as soon as we can, we will.”
SOURCE: The Hill
Healthcare reform draws nearer
Barack Obama’s healthcare reform, the signature policy of his presidency, looks likely to clear its most formidable obstacle by Christmas.
Within the next few days, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office will give its fiscal “scoring” of the compromise reached on Tuesday between five moderate and five liberal Democratic senators.
If the CBO were to pronounce the package at least deficit-neutral – a big if, given the body’s Jesuitical approach to bud get accounting – the way would probably be cleared for a rapid vote in the Senate. Since the House of Representatives has already passed its own 1,990-page bill, only a seismic intervention could stop it from reaching Mr Obama’s desk within the ensuing weeks.
On Thursday, aides to Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, said they believed the latest formulation would attract the 60 votes needed to prevent Republicans from being able to block it.
In addition, the fact Mr Reid is engaging the interest of two Republicans, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both senators for Maine, has provided added confidence that they may be able to afford to lose one Democratic vote in the upper chamber.
SOURCE: Financial Times
Within the next few days, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office will give its fiscal “scoring” of the compromise reached on Tuesday between five moderate and five liberal Democratic senators.
If the CBO were to pronounce the package at least deficit-neutral – a big if, given the body’s Jesuitical approach to bud get accounting – the way would probably be cleared for a rapid vote in the Senate. Since the House of Representatives has already passed its own 1,990-page bill, only a seismic intervention could stop it from reaching Mr Obama’s desk within the ensuing weeks.
On Thursday, aides to Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, said they believed the latest formulation would attract the 60 votes needed to prevent Republicans from being able to block it.
In addition, the fact Mr Reid is engaging the interest of two Republicans, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both senators for Maine, has provided added confidence that they may be able to afford to lose one Democratic vote in the upper chamber.
SOURCE: Financial Times
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Unions pressure Democrats on health insurance tax
WASHINGTON – Union leaders, among the most passionate backers of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, pressed Democratic senators Thursday to drop a tax on high-value insurance plans to pay for remaking the nation's system.
Members of several labor unions denounced the proposed tax on so-called "Cadillac plans," arguing it wouldn't just hit CEOs but also middle-class Americans who did without salary increases to negotiate better health benefits.
"I support health care reform but I can't afford this tax," Valerie Castle Stanley, an AT&T call center worker and member of the Communications Workers of America, said at a news conference outside the Capitol. "For families like mine that are on a budget, the results will be devastating."
The Senate has been debating the health care bill since the beginning of last week but temporarily stopped Thursday afternoon to take up an unrelated spending bill. Debate on the health bill is expected to resume Monday.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Members of several labor unions denounced the proposed tax on so-called "Cadillac plans," arguing it wouldn't just hit CEOs but also middle-class Americans who did without salary increases to negotiate better health benefits.
"I support health care reform but I can't afford this tax," Valerie Castle Stanley, an AT&T call center worker and member of the Communications Workers of America, said at a news conference outside the Capitol. "For families like mine that are on a budget, the results will be devastating."
The Senate has been debating the health care bill since the beginning of last week but temporarily stopped Thursday afternoon to take up an unrelated spending bill. Debate on the health bill is expected to resume Monday.
SOURCE: Associated Press
New Health Care Deal: They're on the run!
Faced with a massive center-right uprising, the Obama liberals have been forced to abandon a public option. But in doing so, they are throwing the Medicare program under the bus.
Already, we have been asking how you can treat a growing number of elderly with a Medicare program that this bill cuts by $500 billion dollars. Now, by adding tens of millions of people 55-64 to the program, it makes it even more financially untenable.
Nonetheless, a brief congratulations to all on having seemingly killed the public option. Without our efforts, it would be en route to becoming law. Now there will not be a government owned, government run and government subsidized insurance company that will put all others out of business.
But the current proposal Reid is loudly trumpeting is horribly flawed as well.
SOURCE: Dick Morris
Already, we have been asking how you can treat a growing number of elderly with a Medicare program that this bill cuts by $500 billion dollars. Now, by adding tens of millions of people 55-64 to the program, it makes it even more financially untenable.
Nonetheless, a brief congratulations to all on having seemingly killed the public option. Without our efforts, it would be en route to becoming law. Now there will not be a government owned, government run and government subsidized insurance company that will put all others out of business.
But the current proposal Reid is loudly trumpeting is horribly flawed as well.
SOURCE: Dick Morris
Health Care In Neutral
[...] "What's your best guess on how long the CBO takes with the new health deal?" I asked, wondering how long the delay would be while the Congressional Budget Office reviews a brand new deal worked out by ten Democratic Senators on health care.
"Four to five days," he said without stopping...
Later in the day that ... intelligence was confirmed, when Sen. Reid went to the Senate floor, and raised morale by saying that he was ready to give Senators the weekend off, while Democrats wait for the CBO review to be finished.
"Anyone who has had any experience with CBO knows that is going to take days, in the plural," Reid said, admitting that this debate is going to be on hold until those budget numbers come back.
"We've worked really hard here," Reid added. "I see no reason to punish everyone this weekend," as he recounted the story of a female Senator who said she really needed to get home to tend to family matters.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
"Four to five days," he said without stopping...
Later in the day that ... intelligence was confirmed, when Sen. Reid went to the Senate floor, and raised morale by saying that he was ready to give Senators the weekend off, while Democrats wait for the CBO review to be finished.
"Anyone who has had any experience with CBO knows that is going to take days, in the plural," Reid said, admitting that this debate is going to be on hold until those budget numbers come back.
"We've worked really hard here," Reid added. "I see no reason to punish everyone this weekend," as he recounted the story of a female Senator who said she really needed to get home to tend to family matters.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Support up for Democratic health care compromise
After agreeing tentatively to jettison a key liberal priority — a full-blown government-run insurance option — Senate Democrats woke up Wednesday to some positive signs for the fragile coalition backing President Barack Obama's health care bill.
A much-courted moderate — Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman — signaled he might be able to live with a compromise to offer private insurance plans under the auspices of the federal employee health program while also allowing middle-aged people to buy into Medicare. Liberal Democrats also spoke out in favor of the idea.
"I am encouraged by the progress toward a consensus," Lieberman said in a statement that also underscored his opposition to any new government insurance plan that would compete with private carriers.
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate and one-time Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said the Medicare option for people age 55 to 64 was "a positive step forward."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
A much-courted moderate — Connecticut independent Sen. Joe Lieberman — signaled he might be able to live with a compromise to offer private insurance plans under the auspices of the federal employee health program while also allowing middle-aged people to buy into Medicare. Liberal Democrats also spoke out in favor of the idea.
"I am encouraged by the progress toward a consensus," Lieberman said in a statement that also underscored his opposition to any new government insurance plan that would compete with private carriers.
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate and one-time Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said the Medicare option for people age 55 to 64 was "a positive step forward."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Health Care Deal?
Democrats in the Senate announced last night that they had struck a deal on a health care bill which could allow for approval of a bill before Christmas. But they offered almost no details of the agreement.
Yep, you read that right.
"We can't disclose the details of what we've done, but believe me, it's something good," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the hallway just outside the Senate chamber.
Reid though tried to shoot down reports that the tentative deal does away with the controversial public insurance option.
"It's not true, okay? Everyone understand that," Reid said flatly.
But that wasn't stopping my colleagues from filing stories that contradicted the Nevada Democrat, as news reports indicated the public option was dead, to be replaced by other items, like opening up Medicare ten years early at age 55 for the uninsured.
What else is in the deal?
"You're not going to get answers to those questions," Reid said sternly.
So there you have it. A deal hatched behind closed doors by ten Democratic Senators that seems to have some major differences to the bill unveiled before Thanksgiving.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Yep, you read that right.
"We can't disclose the details of what we've done, but believe me, it's something good," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the hallway just outside the Senate chamber.
Reid though tried to shoot down reports that the tentative deal does away with the controversial public insurance option.
"It's not true, okay? Everyone understand that," Reid said flatly.
But that wasn't stopping my colleagues from filing stories that contradicted the Nevada Democrat, as news reports indicated the public option was dead, to be replaced by other items, like opening up Medicare ten years early at age 55 for the uninsured.
What else is in the deal?
"You're not going to get answers to those questions," Reid said sternly.
So there you have it. A deal hatched behind closed doors by ten Democratic Senators that seems to have some major differences to the bill unveiled before Thanksgiving.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Progress in Senate Democratic health care talks
After agreeing tentatively to jettison a key liberal priority — a full-blown government-run insurance option — Democrats say they are getting close to pushing President Barack Obama's health care bill through the Senate.
"We've overcome a real problem that we had," Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in announcing what he called a "broad agreement" Tuesday night.
Officials said it included nonprofit national health plans administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which runs the popular federal employees' health plan, as well as opening Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, effective in 2011.
Greater government involvement would potentially kick in if private insurance companies declined to participate in the nationwide plan, although details weren't available. One possibility was for the personnel office to set up a government-run plan, either national in scope or on a state-by-state basis.
"I think when people see this they'll really like what we've done," said Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., who was among five moderate senators who spent several days negotiating with five liberals. Reid planned to describe the plan in greater detail after getting an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"We've overcome a real problem that we had," Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in announcing what he called a "broad agreement" Tuesday night.
Officials said it included nonprofit national health plans administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which runs the popular federal employees' health plan, as well as opening Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, effective in 2011.
Greater government involvement would potentially kick in if private insurance companies declined to participate in the nationwide plan, although details weren't available. One possibility was for the personnel office to set up a government-run plan, either national in scope or on a state-by-state basis.
"I think when people see this they'll really like what we've done," said Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., who was among five moderate senators who spent several days negotiating with five liberals. Reid planned to describe the plan in greater detail after getting an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Senate rejects abortion amendment to healthcare bill
The Senate on Tuesday rejected an effort to tighten restrictions against using federal funds for abortion under Democrats' landmark healthcare legislation, handing a victory to abortion-rights advocates but setting up a potential conflict with the House.
The Senate voted 54-45 to kill an amendment offered by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to make sure the bill does not undermine the long-standing ban on federal abortion funding.
But critics defeated the measure, saying it would go too far and curb access to abortion coverage even if women buy insurance with their own money.
That vote put the Senate at odds with the House, which has passed a bill that includes the stricter abortion language backed by a large faction anti-abortion Democrats who otherwise were prepared to defeat the healthcare legislation.
The vote came after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a lifelong abortion foe, sided with his party's abortion-rights majority in opposition. He gave an impassioned closing speech urging senators to not let the hot-button social issue derail a major expansion of healthcare access that he believed was true to his "pro-life" record on abortion.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
The Senate voted 54-45 to kill an amendment offered by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to make sure the bill does not undermine the long-standing ban on federal abortion funding.
But critics defeated the measure, saying it would go too far and curb access to abortion coverage even if women buy insurance with their own money.
That vote put the Senate at odds with the House, which has passed a bill that includes the stricter abortion language backed by a large faction anti-abortion Democrats who otherwise were prepared to defeat the healthcare legislation.
The vote came after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a lifelong abortion foe, sided with his party's abortion-rights majority in opposition. He gave an impassioned closing speech urging senators to not let the hot-button social issue derail a major expansion of healthcare access that he believed was true to his "pro-life" record on abortion.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
Senators Defeat Anti-Abortion Amendment in Health Care Bill By 54-45
The Senate today rejected an amendment in the health care bill that would tighten restrictions on abortion coverage.
By a vote of 54-45, Senators dismissed the abortion amendment offered by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Nelson had threatened to vote no on final passage if his amendment was not included, but he declined to say today if he would abandon the Democrats' razor thin 60-vote majority.
"This makes it very hard for me to support it," Nelson told reporters after the vote.
In casting his "No" vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., acknowledged that while he may oppose abortion rights, it "doesn't mean I'm opposed to finding common ground for the greater good."
SOURCE: ABC News
By a vote of 54-45, Senators dismissed the abortion amendment offered by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Nelson had threatened to vote no on final passage if his amendment was not included, but he declined to say today if he would abandon the Democrats' razor thin 60-vote majority.
"This makes it very hard for me to support it," Nelson told reporters after the vote.
In casting his "No" vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., acknowledged that while he may oppose abortion rights, it "doesn't mean I'm opposed to finding common ground for the greater good."
SOURCE: ABC News
Comparison of Democratic health care bills
A comparison of the health care bills before Congress:
- The Senate bill (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act):
- The House bill (Affordable Health Care for America Act):
Monday, December 7, 2009
Snowe Called to White House as GOP Stumbles on Health Care
Over the weekend, the Senate continued debate on its version of the government takeover of health care with Republican “unanimous consent” cooperation on floor procedure.
Democrats fell into a rhythm of voting down Republican amendments to jettison the half-trillion dollars worth of Medicare cuts while passing their own -- garnering Republican votes (at times 100-0) on their amendments for political cover.
As early as today, they will begin consideration of an amendment to bar abortion funding by or through any government-run “public option” insurance plan. This issue still may be the one that kills the bill for the year. Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson -- reportedly working on a provision like the Stupak Amendment included in the House bill -- still appears adamant on preventing abortion coverage.
On Saturday, President Obama visited the Senate Democrats to deliver a pep talk on the bill. Conspicuously absent from his remarks was any mention of the “public option.”
Does that mean the “public option” is dead? No, it just means the Democratic leaders are trying to sell it softly, behind closed doors.
The radical left Senate leadership continues its attempts in meetings behind closed doors to convince Democrat senators from red states that they won’t really be committing political suicide by voting in favor of the measure. By the end of this process, the $300 million “Louisiana Purchase” buyoff of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) will likely appear cheap.
Democrats are focused on trying to peel off at least one of the two most liberal Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine. On Saturday, Snowe was summoned to the White House for a chat with the president. Snowe says she opposes the government-run public option.
SOURCE: Human Events
Democrats fell into a rhythm of voting down Republican amendments to jettison the half-trillion dollars worth of Medicare cuts while passing their own -- garnering Republican votes (at times 100-0) on their amendments for political cover.
As early as today, they will begin consideration of an amendment to bar abortion funding by or through any government-run “public option” insurance plan. This issue still may be the one that kills the bill for the year. Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson -- reportedly working on a provision like the Stupak Amendment included in the House bill -- still appears adamant on preventing abortion coverage.
On Saturday, President Obama visited the Senate Democrats to deliver a pep talk on the bill. Conspicuously absent from his remarks was any mention of the “public option.”
Does that mean the “public option” is dead? No, it just means the Democratic leaders are trying to sell it softly, behind closed doors.
The radical left Senate leadership continues its attempts in meetings behind closed doors to convince Democrat senators from red states that they won’t really be committing political suicide by voting in favor of the measure. By the end of this process, the $300 million “Louisiana Purchase” buyoff of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) will likely appear cheap.
Democrats are focused on trying to peel off at least one of the two most liberal Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine. On Saturday, Snowe was summoned to the White House for a chat with the president. Snowe says she opposes the government-run public option.
SOURCE: Human Events
Abortion vote today could decide fate of heath plan
A pep talk by President Obama wasn't enough to give Senate Democrats the votes they needed to pass a massive health care overhaul, but a Monday vote on abortion funding could determine whether the legislation survives.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the chamber would take up an amendment by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., that would strictly prohibit taxpayer money from being spent on abortion.
"I want to get it out of the way," Reid said. "I think we all do."
But the amendment could ultimately stand in the way of the bill's final passage, no matter what the outcome of the Monday vote.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the chamber would take up an amendment by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., that would strictly prohibit taxpayer money from being spent on abortion.
"I want to get it out of the way," Reid said. "I think we all do."
But the amendment could ultimately stand in the way of the bill's final passage, no matter what the outcome of the Monday vote.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Nevada Poll: Fewer back health reform
President Barack Obama has lost ground in the last month in getting Nevadans to embrace his health care reform package and, for the first time, opposition is above 50 percent and support is below 40 percent, a new poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal reveals.
The telephone poll of 625 registered voters found that 53 percent of Nevadans oppose the president's attempt to provide a remedy for problems in the nation's health care system. Support for the plan is at 39 percent.
[...] Coker said the poll results aren't good news for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., chief architect of the Obama supported plan. Only 39 percent of the poll respondents approve of Reid's efforts to get a bill through the U.S. Senate at a time when he's running for re-election.
SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal
The telephone poll of 625 registered voters found that 53 percent of Nevadans oppose the president's attempt to provide a remedy for problems in the nation's health care system. Support for the plan is at 39 percent.
[...] Coker said the poll results aren't good news for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., chief architect of the Obama supported plan. Only 39 percent of the poll respondents approve of Reid's efforts to get a bill through the U.S. Senate at a time when he's running for re-election.
SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Deals cut with health groups may be at peril
Heading into a make-or-break week, Senate Democratic leaders are struggling to preserve the fragile support of interest groups for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system, even as lawmakers seek to change the carefully crafted provisions that brought the groups on board.
On the floor and behind closed doors, the Senate wrestled Saturday with amendments that would impose additional cost-control requirements on hospitals, doctors and drug companies, squeezing out savings beyond the considerable sums those groups had already volunteered to give up.
Of particular concern to seniors groups is an effort to strengthen a new independent board that would determine the future of Medicare, raising the possibility of cuts much deeper than those envisioned in the $848 billion health-care bill.
President Obama is scheduled to visit the Capitol on Sunday to rally Democrats to overcome lingering disputes, including the major flashpoints of abortion and a government-run insurance option. But other unresolved issues that have attracted less public attention pose a direct threat to deals cut by the White House months ago to appease the American Hospital Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and other industry groups whose opposition proved lethal to President Bill Clinton's 1994 quest for health-care reform.
On the floor and behind closed doors, the Senate wrestled Saturday with amendments that would impose additional cost-control requirements on hospitals, doctors and drug companies, squeezing out savings beyond the considerable sums those groups had already volunteered to give up.
Of particular concern to seniors groups is an effort to strengthen a new independent board that would determine the future of Medicare, raising the possibility of cuts much deeper than those envisioned in the $848 billion health-care bill.
President Obama is scheduled to visit the Capitol on Sunday to rally Democrats to overcome lingering disputes, including the major flashpoints of abortion and a government-run insurance option. But other unresolved issues that have attracted less public attention pose a direct threat to deals cut by the White House months ago to appease the American Hospital Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and other industry groups whose opposition proved lethal to President Bill Clinton's 1994 quest for health-care reform.
- Hospital, drug concerns
- AARP vs. the board
Obama heads to Hill to push on health bill
President Barack Obama is paying a rare visit to Capitol Hill to urge Senate Democrats forward as they work through the weekend to try to resolve their differences on his sweeping health care overhaul.
The president's planned appearance at a Senate Democratic caucus meeting Sunday afternoon answers appeals from a number of lawmakers eager for him to step in and help Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., finish the job.
"That is what the president is supposed to do, to use his bully pulpit," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Until now, "I haven't seen much of it," Harkin said Saturday.
Obama and Reid must unite liberals and moderates in the 60-member caucus, even as moderates balk over abortion and a proposal for the government to sell health insurance in competition with the private market. Sixty is the precise number needed to overcome Republican stalling tactics in the 100-member Senate, so Reid doesn't have a vote to spare.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The president's planned appearance at a Senate Democratic caucus meeting Sunday afternoon answers appeals from a number of lawmakers eager for him to step in and help Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., finish the job.
"That is what the president is supposed to do, to use his bully pulpit," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Until now, "I haven't seen much of it," Harkin said Saturday.
Obama and Reid must unite liberals and moderates in the 60-member caucus, even as moderates balk over abortion and a proposal for the government to sell health insurance in competition with the private market. Sixty is the precise number needed to overcome Republican stalling tactics in the 100-member Senate, so Reid doesn't have a vote to spare.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Health care reform contains tax increases hidden in plain sight
To pay for health care reform, you’ll find billions of dollars in tax increases tucked inside the two major bills now before Congress – with each taking a vastly different approach to who ends up paying.
Will it be the wealthiest among us, as proposed by the House bill, which levies a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on those earning more than $500,000 a year?
Or might it be a broad swath of the middle class, hit by an array of tax code changes on medical expenses and taxes levied on insurance policies, drug manufacturers and others in the health industry, which say they’ll pass these costs on to consumers?
The final outcome may be parts of both approaches – but any way you cut it, someone will be paying higher taxes to support the costs of reform. Those costs include subsidies for some families to help them buy health insurance, starting in 2013 or 2014, and expanded government coverage for some.
Here’s a quick look at the tax proposals in each of the major bills...
SOURCE: The Missoulian
Will it be the wealthiest among us, as proposed by the House bill, which levies a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on those earning more than $500,000 a year?
Or might it be a broad swath of the middle class, hit by an array of tax code changes on medical expenses and taxes levied on insurance policies, drug manufacturers and others in the health industry, which say they’ll pass these costs on to consumers?
The final outcome may be parts of both approaches – but any way you cut it, someone will be paying higher taxes to support the costs of reform. Those costs include subsidies for some families to help them buy health insurance, starting in 2013 or 2014, and expanded government coverage for some.
Here’s a quick look at the tax proposals in each of the major bills...
SOURCE: The Missoulian
Weekend work: Senate debates health care
Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) warned his colleagues they will meet for as long as is necessary to pass health reform by the end of the year.
The Republicans do not plan to make it easy on them.
Among the big sticking points:
SOURCE: NECN Politics
The Republicans do not plan to make it easy on them.
Among the big sticking points:
- Whether health reform would mean government funding for abortion.
- Whether the final plan will include a government run "public option."
- Whether health reform would come at the expense of seniors, who rely on Medicare.
SOURCE: NECN Politics
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Senate Democrats want health care bill by holiday
The United States Senate held a rare Saturday session to vote on amendments for the health care reform bill.
Democrats are hoping to have the bill wrapped up and passed by the holiday break, but that depends on every single Senate Democrat voting to go along with the plan.
One vote at a time, Senate Democrats are getting closer to a health care reform bill.
Lawmakers spent Saturday voting on amendments to a 2,000 page bill designed to expand health care to millions.
"14,000 people lose their health insurance every day," Democratic Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid said. "The American people don't get weekends off from this injustice."
Democrats are pushing to get a bill done before the holidays, but fierce disagreements over abortion and the public option are threatening party unity.
Republicans are happy to let democrats fight it out.
SOURCE: WFIE News
Democrats are hoping to have the bill wrapped up and passed by the holiday break, but that depends on every single Senate Democrat voting to go along with the plan.
One vote at a time, Senate Democrats are getting closer to a health care reform bill.
Lawmakers spent Saturday voting on amendments to a 2,000 page bill designed to expand health care to millions.
"14,000 people lose their health insurance every day," Democratic Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid said. "The American people don't get weekends off from this injustice."
Democrats are pushing to get a bill done before the holidays, but fierce disagreements over abortion and the public option are threatening party unity.
Republicans are happy to let democrats fight it out.
SOURCE: WFIE News
Medicare cuts focus of Senate health care debate
Senate Republicans forced Democrats to vote in favor of cutting billions from providers of home care for older people as partisan debate flared Saturday during a rare weekend session on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
[...] Republicans, bent on making Democrats cast politically risky votes, offered their third amendment in the debate so far showcasing more than $400 billion in cuts to projected Medicare spending that would pay for the bill, mostly for subsidies to help extend coverage to millions of uninsured.
Like the other two, this one went down to defeat, on a vote of 53 to 41. The measure by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., would have eliminated $42 billion in cuts over 10 years to agencies that provide home health care to seniors under Medicare.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
[...] Republicans, bent on making Democrats cast politically risky votes, offered their third amendment in the debate so far showcasing more than $400 billion in cuts to projected Medicare spending that would pay for the bill, mostly for subsidies to help extend coverage to millions of uninsured.
Like the other two, this one went down to defeat, on a vote of 53 to 41. The measure by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., would have eliminated $42 billion in cuts over 10 years to agencies that provide home health care to seniors under Medicare.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Roll Call
U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote Summaries
111th Congress
1st Session (2009)
On amendment No. 2870, offered by the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Whitehouse. (to amendment No. 2786), to promote fiscal responsibility by protecting the Social Security surplus and CLASS program savings in this act. (Roll Call 359)
Hagan voted "Yea"
Burr voted "Yea"
Amendment adopted 98-0
On amendment No. 2901 offered by the Senator from South Dakota, Mr. Thune (Roll Call No. 360)
Hagan voted "Nay"
Burr voted "Yea"
(51 yea - 47 nay) Motion was withdrawn under the previous agreement.
On amendment No. 2899, offered by the Senator from Michigan, Ms. Stabenow (Roll Call 361)
Hagan voted "Yea"
Burr voted "Yea"
Amendment adopted 97-1
On the Hatch motion to recommit:
Hagan voted "Nay"
Burr voted "Yea"
(41 yea - 57 nay) Motion was withdrawn under the previous agreement.
SOURCE: U.S. Senate
111th Congress
1st Session (2009)
On amendment No. 2870, offered by the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Whitehouse. (to amendment No. 2786), to promote fiscal responsibility by protecting the Social Security surplus and CLASS program savings in this act. (Roll Call 359)
Hagan voted "Yea"
Burr voted "Yea"
Amendment adopted 98-0
On amendment No. 2901 offered by the Senator from South Dakota, Mr. Thune (Roll Call No. 360)
Hagan voted "Nay"
Burr voted "Yea"
(51 yea - 47 nay) Motion was withdrawn under the previous agreement.
On amendment No. 2899, offered by the Senator from Michigan, Ms. Stabenow (Roll Call 361)
Hagan voted "Yea"
Burr voted "Yea"
Amendment adopted 97-1
On the Hatch motion to recommit:
Hagan voted "Nay"
Burr voted "Yea"
(41 yea - 57 nay) Motion was withdrawn under the previous agreement.
SOURCE: U.S. Senate
Health Care Roundup
News coverage is focusing on Senate consideration of amendments to the massive health reform bill.
Read the rest...
SOURCE: Kaiser Health News
The Associated Press: "Democratic senators are taking aim at insurance industry executive pay as they jockey for advantage in a rare weekend session to debate President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Republicans are showcasing the bill's cuts to Medicare, seeking to undermine support for the legislation among seniors and others as partisan debate rages ... Both sides were bracing for more grueling and unpredictable debates and negotiations Saturday, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., racing the clock to complete action on the 2,000-plus page bill by Christmas" (Werner, 12/5).
Fox News: "After five days of debate, only two issues have been tackled through amendments: expanding women's health screenings and Medicare. The really big issues remain stalled behind closed doors. ... Democrats are so far apart on their difference that they can't even bring up amendments to deal with them. It's so bad that, just to fill time, they spent most of Friday on nonbinding proposals that state they should be fiscally responsible, measures that would have no binding impact on health care legislation at all. (Carl Cameron, 12/4).
Read the rest...
SOURCE: Kaiser Health News
Friday, December 4, 2009
Senate to vote on health amendments over weekend
The Senate will hold votes on amendments to its healthcare reform bill on Saturday and Sunday, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Friday.
In addition to debating several amendments over the unusual full-weekend session, Reid indicated that Senate Democrats may convene for a caucus meeting to discuss the healthcare bill Sunday.
When the Senate meets Saturday at 10 a.m., debate will commence on an amendment sponsored by Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) to limit compensation for health insurance executives and an unspecific Republican amendment; votes are slated for about 2:30 p.m. Further amendments will be debated Sunday starting around noon, with votes scheduled for around 6 p.m.
SOURCE: The Hill
In addition to debating several amendments over the unusual full-weekend session, Reid indicated that Senate Democrats may convene for a caucus meeting to discuss the healthcare bill Sunday.
When the Senate meets Saturday at 10 a.m., debate will commence on an amendment sponsored by Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) to limit compensation for health insurance executives and an unspecific Republican amendment; votes are slated for about 2:30 p.m. Further amendments will be debated Sunday starting around noon, with votes scheduled for around 6 p.m.
SOURCE: The Hill
Moderates seek greater health care cost controls
With the knowledge of Reid and the White House, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., along with Democratic Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Warner of Va., are taking the lead in crafting a compromise. The idea remains a work in progress, but the three presented the outlines Thursday evening in a private meeting with Landrieu, Lieberman and about a half-dozen other moderates.
As described by Carper and Begich, the compromise would put a nonprofit insurance option in place only in states that didn't meet certain criteria for affordability and access. Instead of being controlled by the government, the plan could be run by a nonprofit board, and any initial government startup money would be repaid.
Lieberman left the meeting early and said his position hadn't altered.
"Generally speaking, I didn't hear anything that changes my mind," Lieberman said.
Others were more optimistic.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
As described by Carper and Begich, the compromise would put a nonprofit insurance option in place only in states that didn't meet certain criteria for affordability and access. Instead of being controlled by the government, the plan could be run by a nonprofit board, and any initial government startup money would be repaid.
Lieberman left the meeting early and said his position hadn't altered.
"Generally speaking, I didn't hear anything that changes my mind," Lieberman said.
Others were more optimistic.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Senate votes to keep Medicare cuts in health bill
Casting its first votes on revamping the nation's health care system, the Senate rejected a Republican bid Thursday to stave off Medicare cuts and approved safeguards for coverage of mammograms and other preventive tests for women. The first round of votes ended with a fragile Democratic coalition hanging together.
Senators voted 58-42 to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have stripped more than $400 billion in Medicare cuts from the nearly $1 trillion measure. It would have sent the entire 2,074-page bill back to the Senate Finance Committee for a redo.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Senators voted 58-42 to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have stripped more than $400 billion in Medicare cuts from the nearly $1 trillion measure. It would have sent the entire 2,074-page bill back to the Senate Finance Committee for a redo.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Reid plans noon session on Sunday
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that the Senate will come to session at noon on Sunday to keep working on healthcare reform.
In response to a question by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who wanted to know if members would have a chance to go to church Sunday morning, Reid said the upper chamber would be in session but not until the afternoon.
"I think it's very likely that we wouldn't come in until noon or somewhere around noon on Sunday," Reid said on the Senate floor.
Democrats have threatened to work through most weekends in December to push through healthcare legislation, hoping to pass something by the end of the year.
Republicans have sought to stretch out the debate.
SOURCE: The Hill
In response to a question by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who wanted to know if members would have a chance to go to church Sunday morning, Reid said the upper chamber would be in session but not until the afternoon.
"I think it's very likely that we wouldn't come in until noon or somewhere around noon on Sunday," Reid said on the Senate floor.
Democrats have threatened to work through most weekends in December to push through healthcare legislation, hoping to pass something by the end of the year.
Republicans have sought to stretch out the debate.
SOURCE: The Hill
Health Rope-a-Dope
It was a third straight day of testy debate on the floor, but no votes, as Democrats and Republicans struggled to agree on how best to proceed on the first amendments and motions offered by both parties.
[...] Dodd and Harkin both related the story of one Democrat saying that if there are U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, then the Senate can be in session, too, as it was clear that Democrats are growing frustrated with the slow developing health care debate.
[...] Finally on Wednesday evening, the two parties agreed to have a first series of votes on Thursday. All of the amendments will need 60 votes - in other words - a filibuster proof majority.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
[...] Dodd and Harkin both related the story of one Democrat saying that if there are U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, then the Senate can be in session, too, as it was clear that Democrats are growing frustrated with the slow developing health care debate.
[...] Finally on Wednesday evening, the two parties agreed to have a first series of votes on Thursday. All of the amendments will need 60 votes - in other words - a filibuster proof majority.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare
A new measure on the public option will be unveiled next week, which Senate Democratic leaders hope will break the logjam on healthcare reform.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been tapped by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to come up with a Plan B approach to the public option controversy that has divided Democrats, has been working closely with liberal and conservative Democrats, as well as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).
In an interview, Carper acknowledged that Reid’s “opt out” public option bill does not have 60 votes necessary for passage, even though it cleared a procedural hurdle last month.
If it attracts widespread support, the Carper measure could be added to Reid’s bill, which is expected to be debated on the Senate floor over the next several weeks.
Sensing that his bill may need changes, Reid recently called on Carper and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to come up with new legislative language on the hot-button issue of the public option.
SOURCE: The Hill
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been tapped by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to come up with a Plan B approach to the public option controversy that has divided Democrats, has been working closely with liberal and conservative Democrats, as well as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).
In an interview, Carper acknowledged that Reid’s “opt out” public option bill does not have 60 votes necessary for passage, even though it cleared a procedural hurdle last month.
If it attracts widespread support, the Carper measure could be added to Reid’s bill, which is expected to be debated on the Senate floor over the next several weeks.
Sensing that his bill may need changes, Reid recently called on Carper and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to come up with new legislative language on the hot-button issue of the public option.
SOURCE: The Hill
Senate takes first votes on health care
Three days after starting formal debate, the Senate has approved the first amendment to the $848 billion health care bill -- a measure that would expand preventative care for women.
On an 69-31 vote, the Senate approved an amendment to the legislation that would require insurance companies to cover certain procedures for women -- such as breast and cervical cancer screenings -- without charging co-payments.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
SOURCE: USA Today
On an 69-31 vote, the Senate approved an amendment to the legislation that would require insurance companies to cover certain procedures for women -- such as breast and cervical cancer screenings -- without charging co-payments.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
SOURCE: USA Today
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
More Red Flags from Senate Healthcare Reform
The Senate moved forward yesterday on debate of H.R. 3590, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes.
You read that right.
The bill being used as the shell for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) first attempt at a government takeover of health care is in the form of H.R. 3590, an unrelated tax bill. The House-passed health care bill (H.R. 3962) is still sitting undisturbed on the Senate Calendar should Reid need it for something -- like a vehicle to move a last-minute health care “budget reconciliation” bill through the Senate.
[...] There is no motion to proceed on a budget reconciliation bill. It automatically moves to the Senate floor, debate is limited to 20 hours and a simple majority passes the bill. There are parliamentary rulings on points of order to be considered.
SOURCE: Human Events
You read that right.
The bill being used as the shell for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) first attempt at a government takeover of health care is in the form of H.R. 3590, an unrelated tax bill. The House-passed health care bill (H.R. 3962) is still sitting undisturbed on the Senate Calendar should Reid need it for something -- like a vehicle to move a last-minute health care “budget reconciliation” bill through the Senate.
[...] There is no motion to proceed on a budget reconciliation bill. It automatically moves to the Senate floor, debate is limited to 20 hours and a simple majority passes the bill. There are parliamentary rulings on points of order to be considered.
SOURCE: Human Events
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Rocky Start
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
"I NOW ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE PENDING BILL BE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER UNLESS THEY'RE CONSISTENT WITH THE FOLLOWING TWO PRINCIPLES: THE ADDITIONAL SURPLUSES IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND GENERATED BY THIS ACT SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND NOT SPENT IN THIS ACT IN ANY OTHER FASHION,; AND, NUMBER TWO, THE NET SAVINGS GENERATED BY THE CLASS PROGRAM SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR THE CLASS PROGRAM AND NOT SPENT BY ANY OTHER MANNER IN THIS ACT."
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Women's insurance amendment gets first Senate vote
A bipartisan amendment to increase insurance benefits for women through yearly screenings gets the first Senate vote Tuesday on health care overhaul legislation.
The amendment — co-sponsored by Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine — would require policies to include a variety of yearly screenings and was inspired in part by controversial recommendations last month that women undergo fewer mammograms and Pap smears to test for cancer.
"My amendment guarantees screening for breast cancer, yes, mammograms," Mikulski said. "We don't mandate that you have a mammogram at age 40. What we say is discuss this with your doctor, but if your doctor says you need one, my amendment says you are going to get one." A vote was expected Tuesday afternoon.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The amendment — co-sponsored by Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine — would require policies to include a variety of yearly screenings and was inspired in part by controversial recommendations last month that women undergo fewer mammograms and Pap smears to test for cancer.
"My amendment guarantees screening for breast cancer, yes, mammograms," Mikulski said. "We don't mandate that you have a mammogram at age 40. What we say is discuss this with your doctor, but if your doctor says you need one, my amendment says you are going to get one." A vote was expected Tuesday afternoon.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
CBO: Senate bill would increase individual insurance premiums
“The bottom line is this: After 2,074 pages and trillions more in government spending, massive new taxes and a half-trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare for seniors, most people, according to the Congressional Budget Office, will end up paying more or seeing no significant savings,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement. The health insurance industry’s lobbying arms also proclaimed that the report confirmed their similar warnings.
SOURCE: The Hill
SOURCE: The Hill
HHS would become federal giant under Senate plan
A quick search of the Senate health bill will bring up "secretary" 2,500 times.
That's because Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would be awarded unprecedented new powers under the proposal, including the authority to decide what medical care should be covered by insurers as well as the terms and conditions of coverage and who should receive it.
"The legislation lists 1,697 times where the secretary of health and humans services is given the authority to create, determine or define things in the bill," said Devon Herrick, a health care expert at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
For instance, on Page 122 of the 2,079-page bill, the secretary is given the power to establish "the basic per enrollee, per month cost, determined on average actuarial basis, for including coverage under a qualified health care plan."
The HHS secretary would also have the power to decide where abortion is allowed under a government-run plan, which has drawn opposition from Republicans and some moderate Democrats.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
That's because Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would be awarded unprecedented new powers under the proposal, including the authority to decide what medical care should be covered by insurers as well as the terms and conditions of coverage and who should receive it.
"The legislation lists 1,697 times where the secretary of health and humans services is given the authority to create, determine or define things in the bill," said Devon Herrick, a health care expert at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
For instance, on Page 122 of the 2,079-page bill, the secretary is given the power to establish "the basic per enrollee, per month cost, determined on average actuarial basis, for including coverage under a qualified health care plan."
The HHS secretary would also have the power to decide where abortion is allowed under a government-run plan, which has drawn opposition from Republicans and some moderate Democrats.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Long, bitter debate ahead for health care bill
Democrats called it a historic opportunity. Republicans called it a sham.
Long-awaited debate over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul kicked off in the Senate with lawmakers trading bitter partisan words over the measure to remake one-sixth of the U.S. economy.
The legislative struggle is expected to last for weeks in a test that pits GOP senators determined not to give ground against Senate Democrats determined to deliver on Obama's signature issue.
The 10-year, nearly $1 trillion legislation includes a first-time requirement for most Americans to carry insurance, greatly expands the Medicaid federal-state insurance program for the poor, and would require insurers to cover any paying customer regardless of their medical history or condition.
On Monday each side offered the first of what are likely to be dozens of amendments, with the measures seemingly designed as much to court a skeptical public as to reshape Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's 2,074-page bill.
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
Long-awaited debate over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul kicked off in the Senate with lawmakers trading bitter partisan words over the measure to remake one-sixth of the U.S. economy.
The legislative struggle is expected to last for weeks in a test that pits GOP senators determined not to give ground against Senate Democrats determined to deliver on Obama's signature issue.
The 10-year, nearly $1 trillion legislation includes a first-time requirement for most Americans to carry insurance, greatly expands the Medicaid federal-state insurance program for the poor, and would require insurers to cover any paying customer regardless of their medical history or condition.
On Monday each side offered the first of what are likely to be dozens of amendments, with the measures seemingly designed as much to court a skeptical public as to reshape Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's 2,074-page bill.
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
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