Nelson is a 'no' on health bill as written

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.) — two senators close to conservative elements of their opposing parties — on Sunday staked out opposing positions on Saturday's successful Senate healthcare reform bill, each arguing for their party's positions but on different platforms.

On ABC's "This Week," host George Stephanopolous immediately asked Nelson point-blank whether he would support the Democratic-written bill that passed on a procedural vote of 60-39 on Saturday night on a final vote as written. Nelson answered, "No."

[...] Nelson is key to a handful of centrist Democrats who control healthcare in the Senate debate. The Nebraska senator was among a very few Democrats who withheld their voting intentions until the last few days and hours of Saturday's vote, which must now be followed by weeks of debate, House-Senate conference talks, and a final congressional vote probably in January.

SOURCE: The Hill

Why was it so hard for Dems even to start health care debate?

The Democrats' problems in keeping their side together, in the face of united Republican opposition, are an indicator of how public opinion is beginning to dominate the health care debate. Dozens of polls show that Americans are deeply divided over the issue, with a slight plurality opposing the Democratic health care plans currently under consideration in Congress. Clear majorities of Americans don't believe their health care will improve under the plan, and do believe the plan will increase the deficit. Given that, Democrats are trying to pass the biggest piece of legislation in decades, one that will create an enormous and permanent new entitlement, with less than majority support among the public. And they're racing to do it with less than a year to go before mid-term elections that most observers believe will result in fewer Democrats in Congress. No wonder it's hard.

SOURCE: Washington Examiner

Healthcare bill passes first U.S. Senate test

In the first Senate test for President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, Democrats unanimously backed a procedural motion to open debate over the opposition of 39 Republicans. Republican George Voinovich did not vote.

Democrats needed 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and had no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes.

The Democratic victory was assured earlier in the day when the party's last two holdouts, Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu, said they would support the motion but would not commit to backing the final bill without changes.

"I believe that it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation's healthcare system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away," Lincoln said in a speech hours before the vote.

The debate will begin on Nov. 30 and is expected to last at least three weeks. The House of Representatives has passed its own version, and differences in the two would have to be reconciled in January before Obama could sign a final measure.

SOURCE: Reuters