We don't have to wait until we have a Republican in the White House to rid this nation of the shackles of Obamacare. We can do it next year if we win simple majorities in one or both houses of Congress.
The Obama health care bill was an authorization measure which established a program and set down its parameters. But authorization bills are not appropriations. Each year the Congress must act on appropriations for each department and agency in the government. If no funds are appropriated, nothing can be spent.
So if Republicans take the House (where appropriations have to originate) - and especially if they also take the Senate - they will have the capacity to zero fund Obamacare, appropriating not a dime for it in their spending bills. Indeed, they can and should include a specific amendment to their appropriations bills banning the expenditure of any of the funds on Obama's health care program...
SOURCE: Dick Morris
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Obama signs law finalizing health care, loan redo
Finalizing two major pieces of his agenda, President Barack Obama on Tuesday sealed his health care overhaul and made the government the primary lender to students by cutting banks out of the process.
Both domestic priorities came in one bill, pushed through by Democrats in the House and Senate and signed into law by a beaming president.
The new law makes a series of changes to the massive health insurance reform bill that he signed into law with even greater fanfare last week. Those fixes included removing some specials deals that had angered the public and providing more money for poorer and middle-income individuals and families to help them buy health insurance.
But during an appearance at a community college in suburban Virginia, he emphasized the overshadowed part of the bill: education.
In this final piece of health reform, Democrats added in a restructuring of the way the government handles loans affecting millions of students.
The law strips banks of their role as middlemen in federal student loans and puts the government in charge. The president said that change would save more than $60 billion over the next 10 years, which in turn would be used to boost Pell Grants for students and reinvest in community colleges.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Both domestic priorities came in one bill, pushed through by Democrats in the House and Senate and signed into law by a beaming president.
The new law makes a series of changes to the massive health insurance reform bill that he signed into law with even greater fanfare last week. Those fixes included removing some specials deals that had angered the public and providing more money for poorer and middle-income individuals and families to help them buy health insurance.
But during an appearance at a community college in suburban Virginia, he emphasized the overshadowed part of the bill: education.
In this final piece of health reform, Democrats added in a restructuring of the way the government handles loans affecting millions of students.
The law strips banks of their role as middlemen in federal student loans and puts the government in charge. The president said that change would save more than $60 billion over the next 10 years, which in turn would be used to boost Pell Grants for students and reinvest in community colleges.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Obama Signs Health Care Bill Today as GOP Challenges Constitutionality
President Obama signed the historic health care bill into law today, but Republicans are still fighting back with promises of lawsuits and heated rhetoric, including a shot from one GOP governor who blasted what he called Obama's "nanny nation approach" to government.
Republicans across the country are specifically challenging the mandate in the health care bill that requires every individual to have health insurance, charging that it is unconstitutional.
The individual mandate is an "unprecedented overreach by the federal government forcing individual citizens to buy a good or a service for no other reason then they happen to be alive or a person," Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty said today on "Good Morning America."
Pawlenty said he sent a letter to Minnesota's Democratic attorney general arguing against the constitutionality of the mandate.
"They've taken it to this big, federalized, bureaucratic, government-run, kind of nanny nation approach," Pawlenty said. "I don't think defending the Constitution and individual's rights under the Constitution, and the relationship between states and the federal government under the Constitution is a frivolous matter."
SOURCE: ABC News
Republicans across the country are specifically challenging the mandate in the health care bill that requires every individual to have health insurance, charging that it is unconstitutional.
The individual mandate is an "unprecedented overreach by the federal government forcing individual citizens to buy a good or a service for no other reason then they happen to be alive or a person," Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty said today on "Good Morning America."
Pawlenty said he sent a letter to Minnesota's Democratic attorney general arguing against the constitutionality of the mandate.
"They've taken it to this big, federalized, bureaucratic, government-run, kind of nanny nation approach," Pawlenty said. "I don't think defending the Constitution and individual's rights under the Constitution, and the relationship between states and the federal government under the Constitution is a frivolous matter."
SOURCE: ABC News
Monday, March 22, 2010
Obama to sign health-care bill into law Tuesday
President Obama will sign landmark health-care legislation into law Tuesday at the White House without waiting for the Senate to deal with a package of revisions that was also approved by the House late Sunday, administration officials said.
Officials unveiled the plan to use a White House signing ceremony to showcase the benefits of the health-care overhaul after a divided House passed the Senate-approved bill and the separate revisions, known as a reconciliation bill, in a marathon Sunday session that culminated more than a year of political recriminations over Obama's signature domestic initiative. By a 219-212 vote, the House approved the Senate bill, handing Democrats a historic victory in a long-running battle to reform the nation's $2.5 trillion health-care system. The vote for the reconciliation bill was 220-211. No Republican voted for either measure.
The Senate will begin work on the House-passed revisions as soon as Obama signs the broader legislation, said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). The debate will be limited to 20 hours and likely will end early Thursday, Manley said. Then begins a series of votes on amendments, a process with no time limit but that allows for just one minute between votes.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Officials unveiled the plan to use a White House signing ceremony to showcase the benefits of the health-care overhaul after a divided House passed the Senate-approved bill and the separate revisions, known as a reconciliation bill, in a marathon Sunday session that culminated more than a year of political recriminations over Obama's signature domestic initiative. By a 219-212 vote, the House approved the Senate bill, handing Democrats a historic victory in a long-running battle to reform the nation's $2.5 trillion health-care system. The vote for the reconciliation bill was 220-211. No Republican voted for either measure.
The Senate will begin work on the House-passed revisions as soon as Obama signs the broader legislation, said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). The debate will be limited to 20 hours and likely will end early Thursday, Manley said. Then begins a series of votes on amendments, a process with no time limit but that allows for just one minute between votes.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Health Care Bill Passed the House, But Battles Ahead in Senate, Court
Democrats in the House pulled off a narrow but significant victory Sunday night, passing the Senate's comprehensive health care bill, as well as a reconciliation "fix it" bill. But the legislative, political and legal battles over the bill aren't over.
The Senate bill is primed to become law once President Obama signs it, but the Senate must still pass the reconciliation bill that will alter the main bill in order for Democrats' work on health care to be over. Among other things, the bill would strip the Senate bill of politically-toxic provisions like the so-called "Cornhusker Kickback."
Republicans, however, plan to obstruct the process every way they know how, from offering hundreds of amendments to challenging whether elements of the bill are allowed under the rules of the special process of reconciliation. For anyone who may have expected Republicans to give up their opposition after last night's vote, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, made it clear yesterday passing the reconciliation bill would be a battle...
SOURCE: CBS News
The Senate bill is primed to become law once President Obama signs it, but the Senate must still pass the reconciliation bill that will alter the main bill in order for Democrats' work on health care to be over. Among other things, the bill would strip the Senate bill of politically-toxic provisions like the so-called "Cornhusker Kickback."
Republicans, however, plan to obstruct the process every way they know how, from offering hundreds of amendments to challenging whether elements of the bill are allowed under the rules of the special process of reconciliation. For anyone who may have expected Republicans to give up their opposition after last night's vote, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, made it clear yesterday passing the reconciliation bill would be a battle...
SOURCE: CBS News
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Stupak Gang Caves
BREAKING: House Democrats have picked up critical health reform “yes” votes from a group of anti-abortion lawmakers, including Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak, according to senior Democratic aides. Democrats believe a breakthrough with Stupak's group - based on the promise of an executive order to be issued by President Barack Obama reinforcing a ban on federal funding for abortion - will help give them the 216-vote majority needed to pass reform on Sunday. (1:05 p.m.)
SOURCE: Politico44
***UPDATE***
Stuart Varney reports on Fox Business Channel that Stupak is still a NO vote.
***UPDATE***
Stupak holds press conference: "We have an agreement."
SOURCE: Politico44
***UPDATE***
Stuart Varney reports on Fox Business Channel that Stupak is still a NO vote.
***UPDATE***
Stupak holds press conference: "We have an agreement."
Kaptur to vote for health-care reform
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), a key holdout on health care because of her concern over abortion language in the Democratic proposal, announced on a Toledo television station this morning that she would vote for the legislation.
The conversion represents a major coup for President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggesting Democratic leaders may be on the verge of converting a crucial bloc of holdouts -- Catholic lawmakers who oppose abortion rights -- as they scour the Democratic caucus for the 216 votes needed for passage.
Pelosi and Obama's White House team have held frantic, last-minute talks with Kaptur and about a half-dozen other Democrats who believe the Senate bill, expected to come before the House this evening, could allow people who receive federal subsidies for health insurance to purchase policies that cover abortion procedures.
But Kaptur said she is now confident that the administration would take the necessary steps to preserve the current ban on federal funding of abortion.
"We received assurances last night that we would work with the administration and Secretary Sebelius and the president to ensure that existing law is maintained," Kaptur told WTVG in an interview. "Not to change it in any way, but to make sure it applies to this bill."
Kaptur said she also considered the broader problem of rising health-care premiums in deciding to support the bill. "The bill overall addresses a serious problem before the country today," Kaptur said.
SOURCE: Washington Post
The conversion represents a major coup for President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggesting Democratic leaders may be on the verge of converting a crucial bloc of holdouts -- Catholic lawmakers who oppose abortion rights -- as they scour the Democratic caucus for the 216 votes needed for passage.
Pelosi and Obama's White House team have held frantic, last-minute talks with Kaptur and about a half-dozen other Democrats who believe the Senate bill, expected to come before the House this evening, could allow people who receive federal subsidies for health insurance to purchase policies that cover abortion procedures.
But Kaptur said she is now confident that the administration would take the necessary steps to preserve the current ban on federal funding of abortion.
"We received assurances last night that we would work with the administration and Secretary Sebelius and the president to ensure that existing law is maintained," Kaptur told WTVG in an interview. "Not to change it in any way, but to make sure it applies to this bill."
Kaptur said she also considered the broader problem of rising health-care premiums in deciding to support the bill. "The bill overall addresses a serious problem before the country today," Kaptur said.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Health Care Schedule for Today
This is it. The Super Bowl of health care. Democrats will try to force through their health care overhaul plan.
Via Dan Foster at NRO, here's how it'll go down:
Not that this is set in stone; rumor is that the more off-schedule the Dems get, the more hesitant that they are that they have the votes. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. As we've seen, they're desperate, and ready to do anything and everything to get the necessary votes needed on board.
This is make or break. If you haven't called or e-mailed vulnerable Representatives yet, this is your day to do so. If you must, threaten to contribute to a vulnerable Congressman's electoral opponent. Money talks like nothing else.
SOURCE: Town Hall
Via Dan Foster at NRO, here's how it'll go down:
- 2 p.m.: The House will debate for one hour the rules of debate for the reconciliation bill and the Senate bill.
- 3 p.m.: The House will vote to end debate and vote on the rules of the debate.
- 3:15 p.m.: The House will debate the reconciliation package for two hours.
- 5:15 p.m.: The House will vote on the reconciliation package.
- 5:30 p.m.: The House will debate for 15 minutes on a Republican substitute and then vote on the substitute.
- 6 p.m.: The House will vote on the final reconciliation package.
- 6:15 p.m.: If the reconciliation bill passes, the House will immediately vote on the Senate bill, without debate.
Not that this is set in stone; rumor is that the more off-schedule the Dems get, the more hesitant that they are that they have the votes. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. As we've seen, they're desperate, and ready to do anything and everything to get the necessary votes needed on board.
This is make or break. If you haven't called or e-mailed vulnerable Representatives yet, this is your day to do so. If you must, threaten to contribute to a vulnerable Congressman's electoral opponent. Money talks like nothing else.
SOURCE: Town Hall
Saturday, March 20, 2010
House leaders plan separate health vote, rejecting 'deem and pass'
Democrats edged closer to finding 216 lawmakers to back a landmark health-care bill Saturday, as party leaders and White House officials were working on an executive order that they hope will win over a substantial number of antiabortion Democrats.
The House Rules Committee continued its session on the third floor of the Capitol, where the panel is tasked with setting the terms of Sunday's floor debate. House leaders have decided to take a separate vote on the Senate version of the health care bill, rejecting an earlier, much-criticized strategy that would have permitted them to "deem" the measure passed without an explicit vote.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the House will take three votes on Sunday: first, on a resolution that will set the terms of debate; second, on a package of amendments to the Senate bill that have been demanded by House members; and third, on the Senate bill itself...
SOURCE: Washington Post
The House Rules Committee continued its session on the third floor of the Capitol, where the panel is tasked with setting the terms of Sunday's floor debate. House leaders have decided to take a separate vote on the Senate version of the health care bill, rejecting an earlier, much-criticized strategy that would have permitted them to "deem" the measure passed without an explicit vote.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the House will take three votes on Sunday: first, on a resolution that will set the terms of debate; second, on a package of amendments to the Senate bill that have been demanded by House members; and third, on the Senate bill itself...
SOURCE: Washington Post
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Projections from the House's "deem to pass" roll call
The House voted this afternoon by a 222-203 margin to pass the “Slaughter solution” rule authorizing a single vote on the Senate health care bill which the House leadership wants to send to the president for signature plus the reconciliation health measure the House leadership wants to send to the Senate.
This victory for the Democratic leadership makes it appear that they are on the verge of rounding up the required 216 vote-majority (of the current 431 House members, 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans). But the House leadership, of either party, almost always wins rule votes.
An analysis of the votes cast for and against the rule, together with an examination of members’ public statements and political situations, suggests that the House leadership is still significantly short of 216 votes on final passage, and that opponents of the view have a reservoir of potential noes from more than the 38 Democrats needed to defeat the measure.
SOURCE: Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
This victory for the Democratic leadership makes it appear that they are on the verge of rounding up the required 216 vote-majority (of the current 431 House members, 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans). But the House leadership, of either party, almost always wins rule votes.
An analysis of the votes cast for and against the rule, together with an examination of members’ public statements and political situations, suggests that the House leadership is still significantly short of 216 votes on final passage, and that opponents of the view have a reservoir of potential noes from more than the 38 Democrats needed to defeat the measure.
SOURCE: Michael Barone, Washington Examiner
Dems sweeten health bill, set showdown Sunday vote
Historic health care change in the balance, Democrats plowed fresh billions into insurance subsidies for consumers on Thursday and added a $250 rebate for seniors facing high prescription drugs, last-minute sweeteners to sweeping $940 billion legislation headed for a climactic weekend vote.
President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats.
"It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation," predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill — 16 tumultuous months in the making — meant to expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.
The health care portions of the bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.
SOURCE: Associate Press > Yahoo News
President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats.
"It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation," predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill — 16 tumultuous months in the making — meant to expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.
The health care portions of the bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.
SOURCE: Associate Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
House Rules Precedents
Democrats are giving more signals today that they plan to avoid a direct vote in the House on a Senate passed health care bill. The following historical rundown was sent to reporters this morning about the parliamentary precedents involved.
Not to get too technical, but the basics here are that the House would use a "self-executing" rule to automatically approve the Senate health bill, which is actually a Senate Amendment to the bill H.R. 3590.
As you will see in the document below, Democrats argue this type of treatment for a Senate Amendment to a House bill is not a new procedure, and that it has been used by both parties over the years (the first time in 1933).
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Not to get too technical, but the basics here are that the House would use a "self-executing" rule to automatically approve the Senate health bill, which is actually a Senate Amendment to the bill H.R. 3590.
As you will see in the document below, Democrats argue this type of treatment for a Senate Amendment to a House bill is not a new procedure, and that it has been used by both parties over the years (the first time in 1933).
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
All sides playing hardball on health care bill
With time and tempers short, everyone's playing hardball in the drive to pass — or stop — President Barack Obama's massive health care legislation by the weekend.
Business groups are spending $1 million a day to depict the bill as a job killer in television ads in the home districts of 26 wavering House Democrats. A new ad barrage from supporters of the legislation went up Tuesday in 11 districts, some overlapping. And unions are threatening some of those lawmakers to come through for Obama — or pay the price in the fall elections.
Obama has summoned members to the White House one by one for private, face-to-face persuasion, and also met larger groups. White House aides said he plans at least one more public health care event this week, including remarks in Fairfax, Va., on Friday. Diverse administration resources are being employed: Even the Navy secretary is in the game.
"We here in Congress are giving a new meaning to March madness," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, an opponent of the legislation, said Tuesday.
At stake is a bill that would cover some 30 million uninsured people, end insurance practices such as denying coverage to those with a pre-existing conditions, require almost all Americans to get coverage by law and try to slow the cost of medical care nationwide. The comprehensive legislation could affect nearly every American, from those undergoing annual checkups to people facing major surgery.
Activists on both ends of the political spectrum are energized. Tea party volunteers, who rallied Tuesday in Washington, are planning to flood congressional offices with e-mails opposing the legislation as a step toward socialism. And some on the political left have joined in calling for the bill's defeat because it leaves out a federal insurance option.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Business groups are spending $1 million a day to depict the bill as a job killer in television ads in the home districts of 26 wavering House Democrats. A new ad barrage from supporters of the legislation went up Tuesday in 11 districts, some overlapping. And unions are threatening some of those lawmakers to come through for Obama — or pay the price in the fall elections.
Obama has summoned members to the White House one by one for private, face-to-face persuasion, and also met larger groups. White House aides said he plans at least one more public health care event this week, including remarks in Fairfax, Va., on Friday. Diverse administration resources are being employed: Even the Navy secretary is in the game.
"We here in Congress are giving a new meaning to March madness," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, an opponent of the legislation, said Tuesday.
At stake is a bill that would cover some 30 million uninsured people, end insurance practices such as denying coverage to those with a pre-existing conditions, require almost all Americans to get coverage by law and try to slow the cost of medical care nationwide. The comprehensive legislation could affect nearly every American, from those undergoing annual checkups to people facing major surgery.
Activists on both ends of the political spectrum are energized. Tea party volunteers, who rallied Tuesday in Washington, are planning to flood congressional offices with e-mails opposing the legislation as a step toward socialism. And some on the political left have joined in calling for the bill's defeat because it leaves out a federal insurance option.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Monday, March 15, 2010
New Health Bill, Part 2
Things suddenly got busy on Sunday night with the release of the legislative language of a health care reconciliation bill from Democrats. But after 90 minutes of full throttle evaluation of the 2,309 page measure, it's clear this is just Step 1 of Health Care Hell Week.
In other words, this is not the "real" bill but rather it is just a placeholder, a "shell" bill that allows the House Budget Committee to begin work on the health care matter today.
The real decisions will be made in coming days by Democrats, with new language and provisions then added by the House Rules Committee.
For example, there is no mention in this new Reconciliation language of the excise tax on high cost, "Cadillac" health care plans.
President Obama made clear he wanted that language in the Senate bill changed, so obviously, those provisions still have to be unveiled and placed in this bill.
There is no mention of the annual fee that the Senate bill had on medical device manufacturers and health insurance providers. That is still part of revenue plans envisioned by Democrats.
Another example, the word "abortion" does not appear in the new reconciliation language, which you can find on the website of the House Budget Committee at http://is.gd/aF99v .
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
In other words, this is not the "real" bill but rather it is just a placeholder, a "shell" bill that allows the House Budget Committee to begin work on the health care matter today.
The real decisions will be made in coming days by Democrats, with new language and provisions then added by the House Rules Committee.
For example, there is no mention in this new Reconciliation language of the excise tax on high cost, "Cadillac" health care plans.
President Obama made clear he wanted that language in the Senate bill changed, so obviously, those provisions still have to be unveiled and placed in this bill.
There is no mention of the annual fee that the Senate bill had on medical device manufacturers and health insurance providers. That is still part of revenue plans envisioned by Democrats.
Another example, the word "abortion" does not appear in the new reconciliation language, which you can find on the website of the House Budget Committee at http://is.gd/aF99v .
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Pelosi confident House will pass health care bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday she's confident the House will pass health care legislation and dismissed Republican criticism that she did not have enough votes for the measure.
"We're very excited about where we are and will not be deterred by estimates that have no basis in fact," she said during a dedication of the renamed Lim P. Lee Post Office in San Francisco. The post office was renamed after the nation's first Chinese-American postmaster.
Pelosi declined to say when House members would vote on a health care bill, or how many votes that she had secured. Although she added that lawmakers were "on the verge of making history."
She also dismissed criticism by House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio that she did not have sufficient votes.
"I'm never dependent on Congressman Boehner's count. I never have," she said to a smattering of laughter from the crowd.
House Democratic leaders are pressing for a vote on their bill as early as this coming week.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"We're very excited about where we are and will not be deterred by estimates that have no basis in fact," she said during a dedication of the renamed Lim P. Lee Post Office in San Francisco. The post office was renamed after the nation's first Chinese-American postmaster.
Pelosi declined to say when House members would vote on a health care bill, or how many votes that she had secured. Although she added that lawmakers were "on the verge of making history."
She also dismissed criticism by House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio that she did not have sufficient votes.
"I'm never dependent on Congressman Boehner's count. I never have," she said to a smattering of laughter from the crowd.
House Democratic leaders are pressing for a vote on their bill as early as this coming week.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Saturday, March 13, 2010
House Democrats appear set to pass Senate bill without voting on it
Here’s the reason Democrats are using such a complicated procedure: many in the House completely do not trust the Senate to pass fixes to the bill passed by the Senate in December. But according to the rules of reconciliation, the House must go first in passing the Senate bill and passing a reconciliation fix.
So House Democrats have been searching for a way to alleviate members’ concerns that if they vote for the Senate bill and the Senate does nothing to fix it, they will be hung out to dry as having supported a piece of legislation that many across the country dislike, either for spending reasons, or because of special provisions like the extra money for Nebraska’s Medicaid population (the “Cornhusker kickback”).
Technically, using the “Slaughter solution,” they’ll never have voted for the bill they find odious, even if their vote on the reconciliation legislation will have been the vote that passed the Senate bill into law.
SOURCE: The Daily Caller
So House Democrats have been searching for a way to alleviate members’ concerns that if they vote for the Senate bill and the Senate does nothing to fix it, they will be hung out to dry as having supported a piece of legislation that many across the country dislike, either for spending reasons, or because of special provisions like the extra money for Nebraska’s Medicaid population (the “Cornhusker kickback”).
Technically, using the “Slaughter solution,” they’ll never have voted for the bill they find odious, even if their vote on the reconciliation legislation will have been the vote that passed the Senate bill into law.
SOURCE: The Daily Caller
Dems seek agreement, quick vote on health care
Under White House pressure to act swiftly, House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand.
"It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.
At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that has spawned a yearlong struggle. They announced he would make a campaign-style appearance in Ohio next week to pitch his health care proposals, as well as delay his departure for an Asian trip later in the month.
With Democrats deciding to incorporate changes in student aid into the bill, Republicans suddenly had a new reason to oppose legislation they have long sought to scuttle.
"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business."
He said it was symptomatic of Democrats' determination to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything."
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
"It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.
At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that has spawned a yearlong struggle. They announced he would make a campaign-style appearance in Ohio next week to pitch his health care proposals, as well as delay his departure for an Asian trip later in the month.
With Democrats deciding to incorporate changes in student aid into the bill, Republicans suddenly had a new reason to oppose legislation they have long sought to scuttle.
"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business."
He said it was symptomatic of Democrats' determination to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything."
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
Friday, March 12, 2010
House panel to consider healthcare bill Monday
The House of Representatives Budget Committee on Monday will consider a reconciliation bill that Democrats hope clears the way for final congressional approval of an overhaul of U.S. healthcare, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said on Friday.
Representative Jim Clyburn, a member of the House Democratic leadership, said he hopes a vote by the full chamber could be held on the measure within the next 10 days.
The White House announced earlier on Friday that President Barack Obama has postponed a trip to Asia so that he could stay in Washington and help fellow Democrats get healthcare across the finish line.
Obama has pushed hard for a final vote on the healthcare overhaul, a top domestic priority, which has ignited a long-running political brawl with Republicans and consumed Congress for the last nine months.
The reconciliation bill is aimed at resolving concerns of House Democrats with an earlier Senate-passed healthcare bill.
Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner said: "People are becoming more confident that we are going to get this done."
The Democrat members on the House Budget Committee:
1. John M. Spratt, Jr., SC, Chairman
2. Allyson Y. Schwartz, PA, Vice Chair
3. Marcy Kaptur, OH
4. Xavier Becerra, CA
5. Lloyd Doggett, TX
6. Earl Blumenauer, OR
7. Marion Berry, AR
8. Allen Boyd, FL
9. James P. McGovern, MA
10. Niki Tsongas, MA
11. Bob Etheridge, NC
12. Betty McCollum, MN
13. John Yarmuth, KY
14. Rob Andrews, NJ
15. Rosa DeLauro, CT
16. Chet Edwards, TX
17. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, VA
18. Jim Langevin, RI
19. Rick Larsen, WA
20. Tim Bishop, NY
21. Gwen Moore, WI
22. Gerald Connolly, VA
23. Kurt Schrader, OR
24. Dennis Moore, KS
The Republican members on the House Budget Committee:
1. Paul Ryan, WI Ranking Member
2. Jeb Hensarling, TX Vice Ranking Member
3. Scott Garrett, NJ
4. Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
5. Michael K. Simpson, ID
6. Patrick T. McHenry, NC
7. Connie Mack, FL
8. John Campbell, CA
9. Jim Jordan, OH
10. Cynthia M. Lummis, WY
11. Steve Austria, OH
12. Robert B. Aderholt, AL
13. Devin Nunes, CA
14. Gregg Harper, MS
15. Robert E. Latta, OH
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Representative Jim Clyburn, a member of the House Democratic leadership, said he hopes a vote by the full chamber could be held on the measure within the next 10 days.
The White House announced earlier on Friday that President Barack Obama has postponed a trip to Asia so that he could stay in Washington and help fellow Democrats get healthcare across the finish line.
Obama has pushed hard for a final vote on the healthcare overhaul, a top domestic priority, which has ignited a long-running political brawl with Republicans and consumed Congress for the last nine months.
The reconciliation bill is aimed at resolving concerns of House Democrats with an earlier Senate-passed healthcare bill.
Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner said: "People are becoming more confident that we are going to get this done."
The Democrat members on the House Budget Committee:
1. John M. Spratt, Jr., SC, Chairman
2. Allyson Y. Schwartz, PA, Vice Chair
3. Marcy Kaptur, OH
4. Xavier Becerra, CA
5. Lloyd Doggett, TX
6. Earl Blumenauer, OR
7. Marion Berry, AR
8. Allen Boyd, FL
9. James P. McGovern, MA
10. Niki Tsongas, MA
11. Bob Etheridge, NC
12. Betty McCollum, MN
13. John Yarmuth, KY
14. Rob Andrews, NJ
15. Rosa DeLauro, CT
16. Chet Edwards, TX
17. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, VA
18. Jim Langevin, RI
19. Rick Larsen, WA
20. Tim Bishop, NY
21. Gwen Moore, WI
22. Gerald Connolly, VA
23. Kurt Schrader, OR
24. Dennis Moore, KS
The Republican members on the House Budget Committee:
1. Paul Ryan, WI Ranking Member
2. Jeb Hensarling, TX Vice Ranking Member
3. Scott Garrett, NJ
4. Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
5. Michael K. Simpson, ID
6. Patrick T. McHenry, NC
7. Connie Mack, FL
8. John Campbell, CA
9. Jim Jordan, OH
10. Cynthia M. Lummis, WY
11. Steve Austria, OH
12. Robert B. Aderholt, AL
13. Devin Nunes, CA
14. Gregg Harper, MS
15. Robert E. Latta, OH
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Democrats, White House close in on health bill
House and Senate Democrats are working on a complex rescue mission for the health care legislation, which appeared on the cusp of passage late last year before Senate Republicans gained the strength to sustain a filibuster that could prevent final passage. The White House is pushing for a vote by the House before Obama leaves on a foreign trip at the end of next week.
The current plan is for the House to approve the Senate-passed bill from late last year, despite serious objections to numerous provisions. Both houses then would pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. The second bill would be debated under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning it could clear by majority vote in the Senate without Democrats needing the 60-vote supermajority now beyond their reach.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Tulsa World
The current plan is for the House to approve the Senate-passed bill from late last year, despite serious objections to numerous provisions. Both houses then would pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. The second bill would be debated under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning it could clear by majority vote in the Senate without Democrats needing the 60-vote supermajority now beyond their reach.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Tulsa World
The Slaughter Solution
Would House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow House Democratic leaders try to cram the Senate version of Obamacare through the House without actually having a recorded vote on the bill?
Not only is the answer yes, they would, they have figured out a way to do it, according to National Journal's Congress Daily:
Each bill that comes before the House for a vote on final passage must be given a rule that determines things like whether the minority would be able to offer amendments to it from the floor.
In the Slaughter Solution, the rule would declare that the House "deems" the Senate version of Obamacare to have been passed by the House. House members would still have to vote on whether to accept the rule, but they would then be able to say they only voted for a rule, not for the bill itself.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Not only is the answer yes, they would, they have figured out a way to do it, according to National Journal's Congress Daily:
"House Rules Chairwoman Louise Slaughter is prepping to help usher the healthcare overhaul through the House and potentially avoid a direct vote on the Senate overhaul bill, the chairwoman said Tuesday.
"Slaughter is weighing preparing a rule that would consider the Senate bill passed once the House approves a corrections bill that would make changes to the Senate version.
"Slaughter has not taken the plan to Speaker Pelosi as Democrats await CBO scores on the corrections bill. 'Once the CBO gives us the score, we'll spring right on it,' she said."
Each bill that comes before the House for a vote on final passage must be given a rule that determines things like whether the minority would be able to offer amendments to it from the floor.
In the Slaughter Solution, the rule would declare that the House "deems" the Senate version of Obamacare to have been passed by the House. House members would still have to vote on whether to accept the rule, but they would then be able to say they only voted for a rule, not for the bill itself.
SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Obama appeals for public support on health care
President Barack Obama accused insurance companies of placing profits over people and said Republicans ignored long-festering problems when they held power as he sought to build support Monday for swift passage of health care legislation stalled in Congress.
"Let's seize reform, the need is great," Obama said at an appearance that had the feel of a campaign rally.
"How much higher do premiums have to rise before we do something about it?" said Obama, making the first in an expected string of out-of-town trips to pitch his plan to remake the health care system.
The president said dismissively that Republican critics in Congress contend they want to do something about rising health care costs but failed when they held power. "You had 10 years. What happened? What were you doing?" he said to applause from an audience at Arcadia University.
Obama made his appeal as Democratic leaders in Congress worked on a rescue plan for sweeping changes in health care that seemed earlier in the year to be on the brink of passage. The current two-step approach calls for the House to approve a Senate-passed bill despite opposition to several of its provisions, and for both houses to follow immediately with a companion measure that makes a series of changes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Evansville Courier and Press
"Let's seize reform, the need is great," Obama said at an appearance that had the feel of a campaign rally.
"How much higher do premiums have to rise before we do something about it?" said Obama, making the first in an expected string of out-of-town trips to pitch his plan to remake the health care system.
The president said dismissively that Republican critics in Congress contend they want to do something about rising health care costs but failed when they held power. "You had 10 years. What happened? What were you doing?" he said to applause from an audience at Arcadia University.
Obama made his appeal as Democratic leaders in Congress worked on a rescue plan for sweeping changes in health care that seemed earlier in the year to be on the brink of passage. The current two-step approach calls for the House to approve a Senate-passed bill despite opposition to several of its provisions, and for both houses to follow immediately with a companion measure that makes a series of changes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Evansville Courier and Press
Monday, March 8, 2010
Massa blames resignation on health care debate
New York Rep. Eric Massa is now blaming his resignation last week on a conspiracy by House Democratic leaders to force him out before a crucial vote on health care, his third explanation for leaving office after he earlier cited health issues and an ethics investigation.
One of 39 Democrats who voted against an earlier House version of the health care bill in November, Massa said in his weekly radio address Sunday that Democratic leaders will "stop at nothing" to advance the health care overhaul.
"Mine is now the deciding vote on the health care bill," Massa said on WKPQ-FM in Hornell, a city in his western New York district. "And this administration and this House leadership have said, quote-unquote, they will stop at nothing to pass this health care bill.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
One of 39 Democrats who voted against an earlier House version of the health care bill in November, Massa said in his weekly radio address Sunday that Democratic leaders will "stop at nothing" to advance the health care overhaul.
"Mine is now the deciding vote on the health care bill," Massa said on WKPQ-FM in Hornell, a city in his western New York district. "And this administration and this House leadership have said, quote-unquote, they will stop at nothing to pass this health care bill.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Obama's health care pitch to Democrats: Trust me
Obama told House liberals last week that he understands their frustration in seeing priorities — such as allowing the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies — dropped from the revised legislation. He promised to work with them in the future to improve health care laws, said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who leads the Congressional Black Caucus.
"He said, `This is the first step, a foundation that we can build upon,'" she said. "He made a commitment to work with us on all the issues that are outstanding, and there are many."
It's unclear whether Obama can keep such promises, especially with Republicans expecting to gain House and Senate seats this fall.
Obama is asking his party's House moderates to have a different kind of faith. The party's strategy calls for House Democrats, despite many misgivings, to go along with a health care bill the Senate passed in December. Obama would sign it into law, but senators would promise to make numerous changes demanded by House Democrats. Because Senate Democrats no longer have the numbers to stop GOP filibusters, the changes would have to be made under rules that require only simple majority votes.
Republicans are playing on House Democrats' suspicions of their Senate colleagues, saying Senate Democrats may not keep their end of the bargain. The taunts often hit their marks.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"He said, `This is the first step, a foundation that we can build upon,'" she said. "He made a commitment to work with us on all the issues that are outstanding, and there are many."
It's unclear whether Obama can keep such promises, especially with Republicans expecting to gain House and Senate seats this fall.
Obama is asking his party's House moderates to have a different kind of faith. The party's strategy calls for House Democrats, despite many misgivings, to go along with a health care bill the Senate passed in December. Obama would sign it into law, but senators would promise to make numerous changes demanded by House Democrats. Because Senate Democrats no longer have the numbers to stop GOP filibusters, the changes would have to be made under rules that require only simple majority votes.
Republicans are playing on House Democrats' suspicions of their Senate colleagues, saying Senate Democrats may not keep their end of the bargain. The taunts often hit their marks.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Friday, March 5, 2010
Work Continues On Reg Reform,Jobs,Health Care
Taking their cue from President Obama, who urged lawmakers to bring the year-long health care debate to a close, Democratic leaders in Congress began this week moving toward final health care votes later this month.
Obama said this week that Congress should vote up or down on health care reform legislation in the "next few weeks."
In remarks in the East Room of the White House, Obama said the "long and wrenching" debate on health care reform has shown some common ground between Democrats and Republicans, but has also made clear basic disagreements.
"I do not see how another year of negotiations would help," Obama said, adding the two parties differ on how aggressively the health insurance industry should be regulated.
Last week, Obama offered a revised health care bill that is similar to a bill the Senate passed on Christmas Eve. It would cost $950 billion over a decade and lead to health insurance coverage for more than 30 million Americans who now don't have it.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the plan is for the House to pass this and for both chambers to pass a reconciliation bill that makes corrections to the Senate package.
The president said Congress should vote on health care through the budget reconciliation procedure that requires only majority votes in the House and Senate.
Congressional Republican leaders continue to call on the president to scuttle the bills that Congress has approved and start the debate over.
SOURCE: iMarket News
Obama said this week that Congress should vote up or down on health care reform legislation in the "next few weeks."
In remarks in the East Room of the White House, Obama said the "long and wrenching" debate on health care reform has shown some common ground between Democrats and Republicans, but has also made clear basic disagreements.
"I do not see how another year of negotiations would help," Obama said, adding the two parties differ on how aggressively the health insurance industry should be regulated.
Last week, Obama offered a revised health care bill that is similar to a bill the Senate passed on Christmas Eve. It would cost $950 billion over a decade and lead to health insurance coverage for more than 30 million Americans who now don't have it.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the plan is for the House to pass this and for both chambers to pass a reconciliation bill that makes corrections to the Senate package.
The president said Congress should vote on health care through the budget reconciliation procedure that requires only majority votes in the House and Senate.
Congressional Republican leaders continue to call on the president to scuttle the bills that Congress has approved and start the debate over.
SOURCE: iMarket News
Dems Race to Pass Health Care Bill as Tea Partiers Plan Town Hall Wave
Democrats are racing the clock to pass health care reform ahead of a wave of Tea Party-driven town hall meetings planned for the spring recess -- the kind of gatherings that nearly derailed the package last August.
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
"There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls," said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
But that isn't stopping Tea Party groups, as well as former House Republican Leader Dick Armey's outfit, FreedomWorks, from holding their own meetings and trying to coax lawmakers into attending.
"We're about to ratchet it up," said Debbie Dooley, a Tea Party Patriots organizer and FreedomWorks volunteer outside Atlanta. "You're about to see the passion that we saw during the August recess."
Conservative activists across the country are planning to sponsor town hall meetings, rallies, debates and visits to district offices to voice their objections to the health care reform bill, starting as early as next week. The big push will come during the two-week congressional recess that starts March 29.
SOURCE: Fox News
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
"There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls," said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
But that isn't stopping Tea Party groups, as well as former House Republican Leader Dick Armey's outfit, FreedomWorks, from holding their own meetings and trying to coax lawmakers into attending.
"We're about to ratchet it up," said Debbie Dooley, a Tea Party Patriots organizer and FreedomWorks volunteer outside Atlanta. "You're about to see the passion that we saw during the August recess."
Conservative activists across the country are planning to sponsor town hall meetings, rallies, debates and visits to district offices to voice their objections to the health care reform bill, starting as early as next week. The big push will come during the two-week congressional recess that starts March 29.
SOURCE: Fox News
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Democrats would kill healthcare over abortion
A dozen House of Representatives Democrats opposed to abortion are willing to kill President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plan unless it satisfies their demand for language barring the procedure, Representative Bart Stupak said on Thursday.
"Yes. We're prepared to take responsibility," Stupak said on ABC's "Good Morning America" when asked if he and his 11 Democratic allies were willing to accept the consequences for bringing down healthcare reform over abortion.
"Let's face it. I want to see healthcare. But we're not going to bypass the principles of belief that we feel strongly about," he said.
SOURCE: Reuters
"Yes. We're prepared to take responsibility," Stupak said on ABC's "Good Morning America" when asked if he and his 11 Democratic allies were willing to accept the consequences for bringing down healthcare reform over abortion.
"Let's face it. I want to see healthcare. But we're not going to bypass the principles of belief that we feel strongly about," he said.
SOURCE: Reuters
Obama: The Debate is Over
President Obama wants Congress to say yes or no to Health Care Reform with just "a simple majority." Republicans say Democrats are digging their own political grave. Chip Reid reports and Bob Schieffer provides analysis.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Obama urges Congress to 'finish its work' on reform bill
President Obama urged Congress on Wednesday to "finish its work" on health-care reform legislation and indicated support for a Democratic legislative strategy that includes a controversial procedure known as reconciliation.
In a speech at the White House, Obama told an audience of medical professionals that Congress "owes the American people a final vote on health-care reform." He did not mention the reconciliation procedure by name but said the legislation now stalled in Congress "deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that was cast on welfare reform, the Children's Health Insurance Program, COBRA health coverage for the unemployed and both Bush tax cuts -- all of which had to pass Congress with nothing more than a simple majority."
The programs he mentioned were passed under reconciliation rules, which would enable the Senate to approve a health-care overhaul with a simple majority, rather than a filibuster-proof 60 votes. Republicans have vowed to fight the maneuver.
Forging ahead despite the GOP objections, Obama defended health-care reform as crucial to American families and businesses. He said it would lower skyrocketing costs and end abuses by insurance companies, including discrimination against people with preexisting conditions.
He emphatically rejected Republican demands to abandon existing proposals and "start over" with an incremental approach.
SOURCE: Washington Post
In a speech at the White House, Obama told an audience of medical professionals that Congress "owes the American people a final vote on health-care reform." He did not mention the reconciliation procedure by name but said the legislation now stalled in Congress "deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that was cast on welfare reform, the Children's Health Insurance Program, COBRA health coverage for the unemployed and both Bush tax cuts -- all of which had to pass Congress with nothing more than a simple majority."
The programs he mentioned were passed under reconciliation rules, which would enable the Senate to approve a health-care overhaul with a simple majority, rather than a filibuster-proof 60 votes. Republicans have vowed to fight the maneuver.
Forging ahead despite the GOP objections, Obama defended health-care reform as crucial to American families and businesses. He said it would lower skyrocketing costs and end abuses by insurance companies, including discrimination against people with preexisting conditions.
He emphatically rejected Republican demands to abandon existing proposals and "start over" with an incremental approach.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Obama open to adding GOP ideas to health plan
President Barack Obama said Tuesday he was open to four new Republican proposals on health care legislation, in a gesture of bipartisanship meant to jump-start his stalled overhaul drive.
Obama detailed the ideas, all of which were raised at a bipartisan health care summit last week, in a letter to congressional leaders. He also called for eliminating a special deal for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Florida and other states that drew criticism at the summit from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
The proposals Obama mentioned are: sending investigators disguised as patients to uncover fraud and waste; expanding medical malpractice reform pilot programs; increasing payments to Medicaid providers and expanding the use of health savings accounts.
"I said throughout this process that I'd continue to draw on the best ideas from both parties, and I'm open to these proposals in that spirit," wrote Obama, who will make remarks Wednesday at the White House on a path forward for his legislation.
He rejected the GOP's preferred approach of scrapping the existing sweeping overhaul bills and starting afresh with step-by-step changes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Obama detailed the ideas, all of which were raised at a bipartisan health care summit last week, in a letter to congressional leaders. He also called for eliminating a special deal for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Florida and other states that drew criticism at the summit from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
The proposals Obama mentioned are: sending investigators disguised as patients to uncover fraud and waste; expanding medical malpractice reform pilot programs; increasing payments to Medicaid providers and expanding the use of health savings accounts.
"I said throughout this process that I'd continue to draw on the best ideas from both parties, and I'm open to these proposals in that spirit," wrote Obama, who will make remarks Wednesday at the White House on a path forward for his legislation.
He rejected the GOP's preferred approach of scrapping the existing sweeping overhaul bills and starting afresh with step-by-step changes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Obama said poised to offer more healthcare changes
President Barack Obama will offer changes to his healthcare overhaul this week, the White House said on Monday, and a leading Democrat said the president was preparing a smaller version of his broad bid to revamp the $2.5 trillion industry.
After a healthcare "summit" last week failed to win Republican converts, Obama and his fellow Democrats have been expected to launch a final push for an overhaul using a process known as reconciliation to get the measure through the Senate without opposition support.
"The president will speak on this later in the week, likely on Wednesday," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. "He'll discuss process and policy."
Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said Obama would soon propose a healthcare bill "much smaller" than either the bill passed by the House or the one passed by the Senate.
SOURCE: Reuters
After a healthcare "summit" last week failed to win Republican converts, Obama and his fellow Democrats have been expected to launch a final push for an overhaul using a process known as reconciliation to get the measure through the Senate without opposition support.
"The president will speak on this later in the week, likely on Wednesday," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. "He'll discuss process and policy."
Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said Obama would soon propose a healthcare bill "much smaller" than either the bill passed by the House or the one passed by the Senate.
SOURCE: Reuters
9 Dems who voted no on health bill may reconsider
Nine House Democrats indicated in an Associated Press survey Monday they have not ruled out switching their "no" votes to "yes" on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, brightening the party's hopes in the face of unyielding Republican opposition.
The White House tried to smooth the way for them, showing its own openness to changes in the landmark legislation and making a point of saying the administration is not using parliamentary tricks or loopholes to find the needed support.
Democratic leaders have strongly signaled they will use a process known as "budget reconciliation" to try to push part of the package through the Senate without allowing Republicans to talk it to death with filibusters. The road could be even more difficult in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi is struggling to secure enough Democratic votes for approval, thus the effort to attract former foes.
The White House said Obama will outline his final "way forward" in a Washington speech Wednesday, and he is expected to embrace a handful of Republican ideas for making health care more efficient.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The White House tried to smooth the way for them, showing its own openness to changes in the landmark legislation and making a point of saying the administration is not using parliamentary tricks or loopholes to find the needed support.
Democratic leaders have strongly signaled they will use a process known as "budget reconciliation" to try to push part of the package through the Senate without allowing Republicans to talk it to death with filibusters. The road could be even more difficult in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi is struggling to secure enough Democratic votes for approval, thus the effort to attract former foes.
The White House said Obama will outline his final "way forward" in a Washington speech Wednesday, and he is expected to embrace a handful of Republican ideas for making health care more efficient.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Monday, March 1, 2010
Pelosi: New Health Care Bill Will Be Ready in Days
President Obama will soon propose a health care bill that will be "much smaller" than the House bill but "big enough" to put the country on a "path" toward health care reform, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.
President Obama will soon propose a health care bill that will be "much smaller" than the House bill but "big enough" to put the country on a "path" toward health care reform, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.
"In a matter of days, we will have a proposal," Pelosi said, pointing to Obama's forthcoming bill.
"It will be a much smaller proposal than we had in the House bill because that's where we can gain consensus. But it will be big enough to put us on a path of affordable, quality health care for all Americans that holds insurance companies accountable."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama's proposal likely will be introduced on Wednesday and will address both process and substance.
SOURCE: Fox News
President Obama will soon propose a health care bill that will be "much smaller" than the House bill but "big enough" to put the country on a "path" toward health care reform, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.
"In a matter of days, we will have a proposal," Pelosi said, pointing to Obama's forthcoming bill.
"It will be a much smaller proposal than we had in the House bill because that's where we can gain consensus. But it will be big enough to put us on a path of affordable, quality health care for all Americans that holds insurance companies accountable."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama's proposal likely will be introduced on Wednesday and will address both process and substance.
SOURCE: Fox News
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Health Care Fight
Reconciliation bills have very distinct rules - you aren't supposed to put anything in those bills other than revenue and spending items.
That means if Democrats are going to try to put items like abortion language and other topics, they will have to get "creative" - and that might mean bending the rules.
And if they start bending the rules, the Republicans will rightly blow their top and probably bring the Senate to a halt.
Remember the fuss over the nuclear option with regards to filibusters and judges? This is sort of the same kind of thing.
Of course the Democrats will need to do one thing before we can get to that point - and that is keep their members together.
Something tells me that they can get to 51 in the Senate.
But getting to a majority in the House, that may be much more difficult. And I will say it again - every day that health care reform stays in the news is probably a good day for Republicans.
So the Democrats must do three things:
One of those three is difficult. Two will be very hard to do. All three?
That could take most of the next few months.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
That means if Democrats are going to try to put items like abortion language and other topics, they will have to get "creative" - and that might mean bending the rules.
And if they start bending the rules, the Republicans will rightly blow their top and probably bring the Senate to a halt.
Remember the fuss over the nuclear option with regards to filibusters and judges? This is sort of the same kind of thing.
Of course the Democrats will need to do one thing before we can get to that point - and that is keep their members together.
Something tells me that they can get to 51 in the Senate.
But getting to a majority in the House, that may be much more difficult. And I will say it again - every day that health care reform stays in the news is probably a good day for Republicans.
So the Democrats must do three things:
- Approve new funding changes in a reconciliation bill
- If they keep policy items out of a reconciliation bill, then a new bill would be needed as a vehicle for those items
- The House would have to approve the original Senate passed health bill.
One of those three is difficult. Two will be very hard to do. All three?
That could take most of the next few months.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Emanuel, Pelosi Meet In Capitol To Chart Health Care Course
Rahm Emanuel ventured to the Capitol Friday evening to hash out health care strategy with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a White House aide confirmed.
The meeting comes as Democrats are searching for a way to get to the health care finish line, though neither chamber wants to move first. Senate leaders want the House to pass the Senate bill first, after which the Senate would use reconciliation to fix the legislation to the liking of the Senate. House leaders contend that the votes aren't there for the Senate bill if the upper chamber doesn't move. The House, after two centuries of watching the Senate lag behind, doesn't trust that it'll act.
Senior Hill aides speculated to HuffPost that Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, would bring the message that the House must move first, with a pledge from Senate Democrats that they would follow. It's hard to make amendments to a law through reconciliation if that law hasn't been made official yet, they argue.
SOURCE: Huffington Post
The meeting comes as Democrats are searching for a way to get to the health care finish line, though neither chamber wants to move first. Senate leaders want the House to pass the Senate bill first, after which the Senate would use reconciliation to fix the legislation to the liking of the Senate. House leaders contend that the votes aren't there for the Senate bill if the upper chamber doesn't move. The House, after two centuries of watching the Senate lag behind, doesn't trust that it'll act.
Senior Hill aides speculated to HuffPost that Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, would bring the message that the House must move first, with a pledge from Senate Democrats that they would follow. It's hard to make amendments to a law through reconciliation if that law hasn't been made official yet, they argue.
SOURCE: Huffington Post
One last health-reform sprint
White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer blogs: “The President remains committed to enacting meaningful health insurance reform …And while the President appreciated the participation and input of everyone today, he doesn’t think we can just scrap a year’s worth of work and start over. The millions of Americans that are suffering can’t afford another year-long debate. There’s too much at stake.”
Dr. Carrie Budoff Brown sketches the “x”s and “o”s: “Within minutes of Obama’s remarks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made clear that he didn’t envision extended negotiations with the Republicans. ‘That’s the president’s timeline, not mine,’ Reid told POLITICO. … Rep. Rob Andrews of New Jersey, one of the Democrats’ most prominent voices on health care, said House leaders expect Obama to modify his plan based on Thursday’s meeting and send a revised proposal to the House by next week. Democratic leaders will then use the president’s bill as their jumping-off point. …Another Democratic problem is that their hoped-for slam-dunk on bipartisanship didn’t materialize Thursday. Democrats from Obama on down seemed to be counting on portraying the Republicans as obstructionists and know-nothings – all the better to convince the American public that Democrats really had no choice but to jam through the bill on reconciliation. But instead, the Republicans who showed up generally looked reasonable and sincere. …
"That’s not to say the summit didn’t bring a certain clarity: Democrats aren’t starting over, Republicans aren’t planning to sign on to Obama’s plan, and the only clear hope Democrats have of passing a bill is using reconciliation. … Democrats will likely need to embark on three-step process, with a target to finish it before the Easter recess. Step one, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Congress must first pass a reconciliation bill with major, but limited, fixes to the original Senate bill. Step two, the House would then agree to pass the Senate bill. Step three, both chambers would have to pass a third bill with policy changes that would not pass muster under reconciliation, which requires every element to have a direct impact on the federal budget. For example, the third bill would be needed to make any changes to abortion and immigration provisions in the Senate bill. … House Democrats may well withhold their votes on the first two bills until they are assured their concerns will be addressed in a third bill.”
SOURCE: Politico
Dr. Carrie Budoff Brown sketches the “x”s and “o”s: “Within minutes of Obama’s remarks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made clear that he didn’t envision extended negotiations with the Republicans. ‘That’s the president’s timeline, not mine,’ Reid told POLITICO. … Rep. Rob Andrews of New Jersey, one of the Democrats’ most prominent voices on health care, said House leaders expect Obama to modify his plan based on Thursday’s meeting and send a revised proposal to the House by next week. Democratic leaders will then use the president’s bill as their jumping-off point. …Another Democratic problem is that their hoped-for slam-dunk on bipartisanship didn’t materialize Thursday. Democrats from Obama on down seemed to be counting on portraying the Republicans as obstructionists and know-nothings – all the better to convince the American public that Democrats really had no choice but to jam through the bill on reconciliation. But instead, the Republicans who showed up generally looked reasonable and sincere. …
"That’s not to say the summit didn’t bring a certain clarity: Democrats aren’t starting over, Republicans aren’t planning to sign on to Obama’s plan, and the only clear hope Democrats have of passing a bill is using reconciliation. … Democrats will likely need to embark on three-step process, with a target to finish it before the Easter recess. Step one, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Congress must first pass a reconciliation bill with major, but limited, fixes to the original Senate bill. Step two, the House would then agree to pass the Senate bill. Step three, both chambers would have to pass a third bill with policy changes that would not pass muster under reconciliation, which requires every element to have a direct impact on the federal budget. For example, the third bill would be needed to make any changes to abortion and immigration provisions in the Senate bill. … House Democrats may well withhold their votes on the first two bills until they are assured their concerns will be addressed in a third bill.”
SOURCE: Politico
Friday, February 26, 2010
Many words but few revelations from health care summit
It wasn’t a disaster for either Republicans or Democrats. It wasn’t a total bore either. And while there were some combative moments, the two sides managed to remain largely civil.
In the end, the big White House health-care summit was basically what it was expected to be: many hours of talk that will ultimately be seen to have served as an anchor on which Democrats steadied their legislative ship while they tried to regain momentum for a push through Congress.
Nonetheless, some news and themes emerged:
President Obama has no problem with using reconciliation to force a bill through Congress
SOURCE: Daily Caller
In the end, the big White House health-care summit was basically what it was expected to be: many hours of talk that will ultimately be seen to have served as an anchor on which Democrats steadied their legislative ship while they tried to regain momentum for a push through Congress.
Nonetheless, some news and themes emerged:
President Obama has no problem with using reconciliation to force a bill through Congress
SOURCE: Daily Caller
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Obama, GOP fail to reach accord on health bill
Giving no ground, President Barack Obama and Republican leaders fought forcefully for their competing visions of historic health care reform Thursday in an exhausting, often-testy live-on-TV debate. Far from any accord, Obama signaled the Democrats were prepared to push ahead for an all-or-nothing congressional vote.
The marathon, 7 1/2-hour session did reveal narrow areas of agreement on the topic that has vexed Congress for months and defied U.S. leaders for decades. But larger ideological differences overwhelmed any common ideas, all but cementing the widely held view that a meaningful bipartisan health care bill is not possible as time grows short in this election year.
Obama rejected Republican preferences for starting over, discussing the issue much longer or dealing with it in a limited, step-by-step fashion.
"We cannot have another yearlong debate about this," Obama declared. "I'm not sure we can bridge the gap."
Party officials said March is probably the last chance to act.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The marathon, 7 1/2-hour session did reveal narrow areas of agreement on the topic that has vexed Congress for months and defied U.S. leaders for decades. But larger ideological differences overwhelmed any common ideas, all but cementing the widely held view that a meaningful bipartisan health care bill is not possible as time grows short in this election year.
Obama rejected Republican preferences for starting over, discussing the issue much longer or dealing with it in a limited, step-by-step fashion.
"We cannot have another yearlong debate about this," Obama declared. "I'm not sure we can bridge the gap."
Party officials said March is probably the last chance to act.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
What happens next in health care
After a brief period of consultation following the White House health reform summit, congressional Democrats plan to begin making the case next week for a massive, Democrats-only health care plan, party strategists told POLITICO.
A Democratic official said the six-hour summit was expected to “give a face to gridlock, in the form of House and Senate Republicans.”
Democrats plan to begin rhetorical, and perhaps legislative, steps toward the Democrats-only, or reconciliation, process early next week, the strategists said.
After the summit, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to take the temperature of their caucuses.
“The point [of the summit] is to alter the political atmospherics, and it will take a day or two to sense if it succeeded,” the official said.
SOURCE: Politico
A Democratic official said the six-hour summit was expected to “give a face to gridlock, in the form of House and Senate Republicans.”
Democrats plan to begin rhetorical, and perhaps legislative, steps toward the Democrats-only, or reconciliation, process early next week, the strategists said.
After the summit, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to take the temperature of their caucuses.
“The point [of the summit] is to alter the political atmospherics, and it will take a day or two to sense if it succeeded,” the official said.
SOURCE: Politico
Shuler opposes legislative tactic to push through health care bill
Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, says he is against a procedural move congressional leaders are eyeing to muscle a health care reform bill through the Senate.
Some Democratic leaders are talking about using a procedure called reconciliation to pass the health care bill with a simple majority. Reconciliation would allow Senate Democrats to overcome Republican delaying tactics. Democrats now control 59 Senate seats, one vote short of the number needed to end Republican filibusters.
"That is not the way you run Washington," Shuler said in an interview with the Times-News Wednesday. "It has to be done in a bipartisan way."
Shuler said he would vote against a reconciliation bill and does not believe there are enough votes in the House for it to pass anyway. He voted against the first House version of the health care bill Nov. 7, and it was defeated 220-215.
"We could do something with health care," Shuler said. "But the process that has been going on in the House and Senate is not right. We have to do what is right for the American people."
SOURCE: Hendersonville Times-News
Some Democratic leaders are talking about using a procedure called reconciliation to pass the health care bill with a simple majority. Reconciliation would allow Senate Democrats to overcome Republican delaying tactics. Democrats now control 59 Senate seats, one vote short of the number needed to end Republican filibusters.
"That is not the way you run Washington," Shuler said in an interview with the Times-News Wednesday. "It has to be done in a bipartisan way."
Shuler said he would vote against a reconciliation bill and does not believe there are enough votes in the House for it to pass anyway. He voted against the first House version of the health care bill Nov. 7, and it was defeated 220-215.
"We could do something with health care," Shuler said. "But the process that has been going on in the House and Senate is not right. We have to do what is right for the American people."
SOURCE: Hendersonville Times-News
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Hoyer: Comprehensive health bill may be no go
Two days before Obama's televised health summit with Republicans and Democrats, the prospects for any bipartisan deal dimmed as the administration set the stage for pushing ahead with only Democratic support, a risky move that would require the president's political capital and elusive unity from a fractious party.
Obama's new plan used legislation already passed by the Senate as its starting point, making changes designed to appeal to House Democrats. He unveiled it Monday almost exactly a year after calling on Congress to act to reform the nation's costly an inefficient health care system. Majority Democrats were on the verge of meeting the challenge before Republican Scott Brown's upset win in a Massachusetts Senate seat last month.
Brown's win underscored the perilous political environment for Democrats in an election year, but Obama didn't scale back his ambitions, opting for one last attempt at full-scale legislation. It costs around $1 trillion over a decade, requires nearly everyone to be insured or pay a fine, and puts new requirements on insurance companies, including — in a new twist responding to recent rate hikes — giving the federal government authority to block big premium increases.
If Obama fails on a comprehensive health care overhaul where Bill Clinton and other presidents failed before him, the chance won't come around again anytime soon.
The whole endeavor will now rise or fall on Obama's ability to sell his plan at the summit Thursday, and the reaction from lawmakers and the public in the days ahead.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Obama's new plan used legislation already passed by the Senate as its starting point, making changes designed to appeal to House Democrats. He unveiled it Monday almost exactly a year after calling on Congress to act to reform the nation's costly an inefficient health care system. Majority Democrats were on the verge of meeting the challenge before Republican Scott Brown's upset win in a Massachusetts Senate seat last month.
Brown's win underscored the perilous political environment for Democrats in an election year, but Obama didn't scale back his ambitions, opting for one last attempt at full-scale legislation. It costs around $1 trillion over a decade, requires nearly everyone to be insured or pay a fine, and puts new requirements on insurance companies, including — in a new twist responding to recent rate hikes — giving the federal government authority to block big premium increases.
If Obama fails on a comprehensive health care overhaul where Bill Clinton and other presidents failed before him, the chance won't come around again anytime soon.
The whole endeavor will now rise or fall on Obama's ability to sell his plan at the summit Thursday, and the reaction from lawmakers and the public in the days ahead.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Health Care Dynamic
It would be nice to think that both sides could sit down together and negotiate, but there sure aren't many signs of that right now.
"President Obama unveiled today is just more of the same government-run insurance, mandates and taxes the American people have overwhelmingly rejected," said Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN).
"Republicans say they support health reform, but the only ideas they've put forward involve privatizing Medicare and Social Security or giving more power to the insurance and drug industries," countered Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
Both sides have their talking points, but it may be that health care compromise is a bridge too far.
Which means maybe the only way for something to get done is if Democrats go it alone.
And they may not have the votes for that either.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
"President Obama unveiled today is just more of the same government-run insurance, mandates and taxes the American people have overwhelmingly rejected," said Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN).
"Republicans say they support health reform, but the only ideas they've put forward involve privatizing Medicare and Social Security or giving more power to the insurance and drug industries," countered Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
Both sides have their talking points, but it may be that health care compromise is a bridge too far.
Which means maybe the only way for something to get done is if Democrats go it alone.
And they may not have the votes for that either.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Obama Health Details
There were so many people wanting to know how much this new bill would cost that the Congressional Budget Office took the odd step of posting a response on its web site.
The CBO did not know.
"We had not previously received the proposal, and we have just begun the process of reviewing it -- a process that will take some time, given the complexity of the issues involved," said the CBO statement, which added that a lot more information was needed from the White House.
"Therefore, CBO cannot provide a cost estimate for the proposal without additional detail, and, even if such detail were provided, analyzing the proposal would be a time-consuming process that could not be completed this week."
In other words, Democrats will go to the Health Care Summit with a plan that has no exact cost estimate.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
The CBO did not know.
"We had not previously received the proposal, and we have just begun the process of reviewing it -- a process that will take some time, given the complexity of the issues involved," said the CBO statement, which added that a lot more information was needed from the White House.
"Therefore, CBO cannot provide a cost estimate for the proposal without additional detail, and, even if such detail were provided, analyzing the proposal would be a time-consuming process that could not be completed this week."
In other words, Democrats will go to the Health Care Summit with a plan that has no exact cost estimate.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Stupak: President's Health Care Bill is "Unacceptable"
In a statement out this morning, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., has addressed the issue of publicly financed abortions included in the president's health care proposal:
SOURCE: TownHall blog
I was pleased to see that President Obama’s health care proposal did not include several of the sweetheart deals provided to select states in the Senate bill. Unfortunately, the President's proposal encompasses the Senate language allowing public funding of abortion. The Senate language is a significant departure from current law and is unacceptable. While the President has laid out a health care proposal that brings us closer to resolving our differences, there is still work to be done before Congress can pass comprehensive health care reform.
SOURCE: TownHall blog
White House: If GOP Filibusters, We’ll Pass Health Reform Via Reconciliation
The game of chicken commenceth — right now.
In the course of unveiling Obama’s new health reform proposal on a conference call with reporters this morning, White House advisers made it clearer than ever before: If the GOP filibusters health reform, Dems will move forward on their own and pass it via reconciliation.
The assertion, which is likely to spark an angry response from GOP leaders, ups the stakes in advance of the summit by essentially daring Republicans to try to block reform.
“The President expects and believes the American people deserve an up or down vote on health reform,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said on the call.
Pfeiffer said no decision had been made how to proceed, pending the outcome of the summit. But he added that Obama’s proposal is designed to have “maximum flexibility to ensure that we can get an up or down vote if the opposition decides to take the extraordinary step of filibustering health reform.”
Translation: If the GOP doesn’t cooperate with us in any meaningful sense, we’re moving forward on our own.
SOURCE: Plumline
In the course of unveiling Obama’s new health reform proposal on a conference call with reporters this morning, White House advisers made it clearer than ever before: If the GOP filibusters health reform, Dems will move forward on their own and pass it via reconciliation.
The assertion, which is likely to spark an angry response from GOP leaders, ups the stakes in advance of the summit by essentially daring Republicans to try to block reform.
“The President expects and believes the American people deserve an up or down vote on health reform,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said on the call.
Pfeiffer said no decision had been made how to proceed, pending the outcome of the summit. But he added that Obama’s proposal is designed to have “maximum flexibility to ensure that we can get an up or down vote if the opposition decides to take the extraordinary step of filibustering health reform.”
Translation: If the GOP doesn’t cooperate with us in any meaningful sense, we’re moving forward on our own.
SOURCE: Plumline
Monday, February 22, 2010
Obama Health Plan Costs $950 Billion Over 10 Years
Trying to revive languishing health-care legislation, the White House proposed Monday that a tax on high-end health plans be delayed for all workers, not just those in unions, and suggested new taxes to help make up for the lost revenue.
President Barack Obama will carry the proposal, an attempt to bridge differences between bills passed by the House and Senate last year, into a bipartisan meeting with congressional leaders on Thursday, as Democrats try to regain momentum and push their legislation through final passage in Congress.
Republicans are planning to bring their own ideas to the meeting, and aides said last week they are prepared to incorporate Republican proposals into the Democratic plan. But White House officials made clear again Monday that they have no intention of scratching their legislation and starting over, as Republicans are demanding.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama will carry the proposal, an attempt to bridge differences between bills passed by the House and Senate last year, into a bipartisan meeting with congressional leaders on Thursday, as Democrats try to regain momentum and push their legislation through final passage in Congress.
Republicans are planning to bring their own ideas to the meeting, and aides said last week they are prepared to incorporate Republican proposals into the Democratic plan. But White House officials made clear again Monday that they have no intention of scratching their legislation and starting over, as Republicans are demanding.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Up Next! On Live TV! A Battle Over ... Health Care?
When he jousts with Congressional Republicans over health care policy during a televised meeting on Thursday, President Obama will seek to portray his adversaries as sharing many of the broad goals of his legislation and also strive to unify Congressional Democrats to press ahead and adopt a bill, senior White House officials and leading Democrats say.
But Mr. Obama, top White House advisers and Congressional leaders of both parties are under no illusion that the meeting will resolve more than a half-century of disagreements over health care policy. Instead, Democrats say, they hope the event will create a climate that helps revive their legislation in Congress and prove to the American public that they are willing to hear out Republicans and even adopt their ideas.
“We may not be able to resolve all the disagreements, but we ought to be able to thrash out areas of broad agreement,” said David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s senior adviser. “The fact is, there are broad areas of agreement on elements of this, and hopefully that will become apparent here.”
Mr. Axelrod added, “Sitting side by side working through these issues is better than not sitting side by side and dealing with distortions.”
Republican leaders have not yet committed to attending the session and have said they doubt the sincerity of Mr. Obama’s bipartisan overtures, given his refusal to discard the Democrats’ legislation and start over. But senior Republican aides said that party leaders planned to participate and that a chief goal would be to portray the president as defying the will of the American people if he continues pushing for an expansive and expensive bill.
SOURCE: New York Times
But Mr. Obama, top White House advisers and Congressional leaders of both parties are under no illusion that the meeting will resolve more than a half-century of disagreements over health care policy. Instead, Democrats say, they hope the event will create a climate that helps revive their legislation in Congress and prove to the American public that they are willing to hear out Republicans and even adopt their ideas.
“We may not be able to resolve all the disagreements, but we ought to be able to thrash out areas of broad agreement,” said David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s senior adviser. “The fact is, there are broad areas of agreement on elements of this, and hopefully that will become apparent here.”
Mr. Axelrod added, “Sitting side by side working through these issues is better than not sitting side by side and dealing with distortions.”
Republican leaders have not yet committed to attending the session and have said they doubt the sincerity of Mr. Obama’s bipartisan overtures, given his refusal to discard the Democrats’ legislation and start over. But senior Republican aides said that party leaders planned to participate and that a chief goal would be to portray the president as defying the will of the American people if he continues pushing for an expansive and expensive bill.
SOURCE: New York Times
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Obama version of health reform expected Monday
The White House readied its last-ditch effort to salvage health care legislation Sunday while the Senate's Republican leader warned Democrats against the go-it-alone approach.
The White House was expected to post a version of President Barack Obama's plan for overhauling health care on its Web site on Monday, ahead of his critical and daring summit at Blair House on Thursday. The plan, which was likely to be opposed by the GOP, was expected to require most Americans to carry health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies to help many afford the premiums.
Hewing close to a stalled Senate bill, it would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging them more. The expected price tag is around $1 trillion over 10 years.
The conference at the White House guest residence is to be televised live on C-SPAN and perhaps on cable news networks. It represents a gamble by the administration that Obama can save his embattled overhaul through persuasion — a risky and unusual step.
It was forced on the administration by the Senate special election victory of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown in January. He captured the seat long held by Democrat Edward M. Kennedy, who died last year. Brown's victory reduced the Democrats' majority in the Senate to 59 votes, one shy of the number needed to knock down Republican delaying tactics.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The White House was expected to post a version of President Barack Obama's plan for overhauling health care on its Web site on Monday, ahead of his critical and daring summit at Blair House on Thursday. The plan, which was likely to be opposed by the GOP, was expected to require most Americans to carry health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies to help many afford the premiums.
Hewing close to a stalled Senate bill, it would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging them more. The expected price tag is around $1 trillion over 10 years.
The conference at the White House guest residence is to be televised live on C-SPAN and perhaps on cable news networks. It represents a gamble by the administration that Obama can save his embattled overhaul through persuasion — a risky and unusual step.
It was forced on the administration by the Senate special election victory of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown in January. He captured the seat long held by Democrat Edward M. Kennedy, who died last year. Brown's victory reduced the Democrats' majority in the Senate to 59 votes, one shy of the number needed to knock down Republican delaying tactics.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Obama paves the way for reconciliation in video address
President Obama’s weekly address to the nation today urged Republicans to come to the bipartisan health care negotiations next week in a “spirit of good faith,” but critics see the plea as just the kind of “political theater” the president condemned in the videotaped message.
“We know the American people want us to reform our health insurance system. We know where the broad areas of agreement are. And we know where the sources of disagreement lie,” the president said.
Absent the necessary votes to overcome a Senate filibuster, the remaining option for the administration is to push the health care reform bill into law using the budget reconciliation process, a legislative procedure that enables the consideration of certain budget-related, contentious bills without the threat of filibuster.
But such an aggressive and unilateral move would likely be highly unpopular, seeing as polls suggest fewer than 40 percent of Americans approve of the president’s handling of health care to this point. That, some suggest, is why the president is attempting to appear ‘above the fray’ with even-handed addresses like this one.
“If the president is sincere about moving forward in a bipartisan fashion, he must take the reconciliation process — which will be used to jam through legislation that a majority of Americans do not want — off the table,” House Minority Whip Eric Cantor said earlier this week.
The warnings do not appear to have fazed top Democrats.
“We’re really trying to move forward on this,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday evening on Face to Face with Jon Ralston in Nevada.
SOURCE: The Daily Caller
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Live From Washington! It's Obama health care drama
Coming soon to daytime television: America's long-running civic drama over how to provide better health care to more of its people without breaking the bank.
President Barack Obama summons anxious Democrats and aloof Republicans to a White House summit Thursday — live on C-SPAN and perhaps cable — and gambles that he can save his embattled health care overhaul by the power of persuasion. Adversaries and allies alike were surprised by Obama's invitation to reason together at an open forum, as risky as it is unusual.
Ahead of the meeting, the White House will post on its Web site a health care plan that modifies the bill passed by Senate Democrats last year. The modification is an effort to address the concerns of their House counterparts.
The plan is important, but not as critical as the political skill Obama can apply to an impasse that seems close to hopeless in a pivotal congressional election year.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
President Barack Obama summons anxious Democrats and aloof Republicans to a White House summit Thursday — live on C-SPAN and perhaps cable — and gambles that he can save his embattled health care overhaul by the power of persuasion. Adversaries and allies alike were surprised by Obama's invitation to reason together at an open forum, as risky as it is unusual.
Ahead of the meeting, the White House will post on its Web site a health care plan that modifies the bill passed by Senate Democrats last year. The modification is an effort to address the concerns of their House counterparts.
The plan is important, but not as critical as the political skill Obama can apply to an impasse that seems close to hopeless in a pivotal congressional election year.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Dems Near Plan To Pass Health Care Bill
The White House and congressional leaders are preparing a detailed health care proposal designed to win passage without Republican support if GOP lawmakers fail to embrace bipartisan compromises at President Barack Obama's summit next week.
A senior White House official said Thursday that Democratic negotiators are resolving final differences in House and Senate health bills that passed last year with virtually no Republican help. The White House plans to post the proposals online by Monday morning, three days ahead of the Feb. 25 summit, which GOP leaders are approaching warily.
The comments signal that Obama and Congress' Democratic leaders still plan to use assertive and sometimes controversial parliamentary powers to enact a far-reaching health care bill if no GOP lawmakers get on board. Republicans and conservative activists have denounced such a strategy, and it's unclear whether enough House and Senate Democrats would back it. Both parties have used the strategy, known as reconciliation, in the past.
Obama says he is open to Republican ideas for changing the health care legislation. But many Democrats seriously doubt GOP leaders will support compromises that could draw enough lawmakers from both parties to create a bipartisan majority.
The negotiations, led by Democratic leaders with White House input, are meant to determine what changes must be made to the Senate-passed bill for House Democrats to accept it, the administration official said. The goal is to craft a reconciled measure that Senate Democrats can pass, under rules barring GOP filibusters, unless Republicans offer acceptable changes at next week's summit.
Democrats lost their ability to block filibusters when Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown won a Senate seat last month.
The White House official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday that Obama plans to have a health care proposal that "will take some of the best ideas and put them into a framework" ahead of the Feb. 25 summit.
House Democrats insist on several changes to the bill the Senate passed on Christmas Eve. They include reducing or eliminating a proposed tax on generous employer-provider health plans, and eliminating a Medicaid subsidy aimed only at Nebraska.
Overall, the Democratic plans would provide health insurance to more than 30 million people now uninsured and end the industry practice of denying coverage to those with medical problems. Most Americans would be required to carry health coverage, with new government subsidies available to reduce the cost for many.
The main beneficiaries would be small businesses and people who now buy their own insurance. They now have few choices, and premium prices can spike unpredictably from year to year.
Under the Democrats' legislation, they would be able to pick a plan in a new insurance marketplace offering a range of choices similar to those available to federal employees.
The cost of the legislation - about $1 trillion over 10 years - would be paid for through Medicare cuts and a series of tax increases. In the short run, the nation would spend more on health care under the Democratic plans, since newly covered people would be able to get care they had previously put off. Over time, however, the rate of increase in medical costs would begin to slow.
SOURCE: Associated Press
A senior White House official said Thursday that Democratic negotiators are resolving final differences in House and Senate health bills that passed last year with virtually no Republican help. The White House plans to post the proposals online by Monday morning, three days ahead of the Feb. 25 summit, which GOP leaders are approaching warily.
The comments signal that Obama and Congress' Democratic leaders still plan to use assertive and sometimes controversial parliamentary powers to enact a far-reaching health care bill if no GOP lawmakers get on board. Republicans and conservative activists have denounced such a strategy, and it's unclear whether enough House and Senate Democrats would back it. Both parties have used the strategy, known as reconciliation, in the past.
Obama says he is open to Republican ideas for changing the health care legislation. But many Democrats seriously doubt GOP leaders will support compromises that could draw enough lawmakers from both parties to create a bipartisan majority.
The negotiations, led by Democratic leaders with White House input, are meant to determine what changes must be made to the Senate-passed bill for House Democrats to accept it, the administration official said. The goal is to craft a reconciled measure that Senate Democrats can pass, under rules barring GOP filibusters, unless Republicans offer acceptable changes at next week's summit.
Democrats lost their ability to block filibusters when Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown won a Senate seat last month.
The White House official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday that Obama plans to have a health care proposal that "will take some of the best ideas and put them into a framework" ahead of the Feb. 25 summit.
House Democrats insist on several changes to the bill the Senate passed on Christmas Eve. They include reducing or eliminating a proposed tax on generous employer-provider health plans, and eliminating a Medicaid subsidy aimed only at Nebraska.
Overall, the Democratic plans would provide health insurance to more than 30 million people now uninsured and end the industry practice of denying coverage to those with medical problems. Most Americans would be required to carry health coverage, with new government subsidies available to reduce the cost for many.
The main beneficiaries would be small businesses and people who now buy their own insurance. They now have few choices, and premium prices can spike unpredictably from year to year.
Under the Democrats' legislation, they would be able to pick a plan in a new insurance marketplace offering a range of choices similar to those available to federal employees.
The cost of the legislation - about $1 trillion over 10 years - would be paid for through Medicare cuts and a series of tax increases. In the short run, the nation would spend more on health care under the Democratic plans, since newly covered people would be able to get care they had previously put off. Over time, however, the rate of increase in medical costs would begin to slow.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Thursday, February 18, 2010
White House: Dems near accord on health care bill
The White House and congressional leaders are preparing a detailed health care proposal designed to win passage without Republican support if GOP lawmakers fail to embrace bipartisan compromises at President Barack Obama's summit next week.
A senior White House official said Thursday that Democratic negotiators are resolving final differences in House and Senate health bills that passed last year with virtually no Republican help. The White House plans to post the proposals online by Monday morning, three days ahead of the Feb. 25 summit, which GOP leaders are approaching warily.
The comments signal that Obama and Congress' Democratic leaders still plan to use assertive and sometimes controversial parliamentary powers to enact a far-reaching health care bill if no GOP lawmakers get on board. Republicans and conservative activists have denounced such a strategy, and it's unclear whether enough House and Senate Democrats would back it. Both parties have used the strategy, known as reconciliation, in the past.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
A senior White House official said Thursday that Democratic negotiators are resolving final differences in House and Senate health bills that passed last year with virtually no Republican help. The White House plans to post the proposals online by Monday morning, three days ahead of the Feb. 25 summit, which GOP leaders are approaching warily.
The comments signal that Obama and Congress' Democratic leaders still plan to use assertive and sometimes controversial parliamentary powers to enact a far-reaching health care bill if no GOP lawmakers get on board. Republicans and conservative activists have denounced such a strategy, and it's unclear whether enough House and Senate Democrats would back it. Both parties have used the strategy, known as reconciliation, in the past.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Health Reform in Limbo, Top Drug Lobbyist Quits
Billy Tauzin, one of the highest paid lobbyists in Washington, is resigning as president of the pharmaceutical industry’s trade group amid internal disputes over its pact with the White House to trade political support for favorable terms in the proposed health care overhaul.
As the industry’s top lobbyist, Mr. Tauzin brokered the deal last summer with the White House and Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, to limit the drug industry’s total costs under the proposed health care overhaul to $80 billion over 10 years.
The announcement of Mr. Tauzin’s resignation is the latest unexpected fallout of the Republican upset in the Massachusetts Senate race, which abruptly transformed the health care overhaul from a near inevitability to a daunting cause.
Like almost every other seasoned Washington player, Mr. Tauzin bet the health care overhaul was an unstoppable train, so he wagered it was better to get on board early — only to watch it come to a screeching halt.
The trade group issued a news release on Thursday night confirming Mr. Tauzin’s departure, effective June 30. In the statement, Mr. Tauzin, a former House representative who is 66 and has survived intestinal cancer, said, “My health is excellent, and I look forward to exciting new challenges ahead.”
SOURCE: New York Times
As the industry’s top lobbyist, Mr. Tauzin brokered the deal last summer with the White House and Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, to limit the drug industry’s total costs under the proposed health care overhaul to $80 billion over 10 years.
The announcement of Mr. Tauzin’s resignation is the latest unexpected fallout of the Republican upset in the Massachusetts Senate race, which abruptly transformed the health care overhaul from a near inevitability to a daunting cause.
Like almost every other seasoned Washington player, Mr. Tauzin bet the health care overhaul was an unstoppable train, so he wagered it was better to get on board early — only to watch it come to a screeching halt.
The trade group issued a news release on Thursday night confirming Mr. Tauzin’s departure, effective June 30. In the statement, Mr. Tauzin, a former House representative who is 66 and has survived intestinal cancer, said, “My health is excellent, and I look forward to exciting new challenges ahead.”
SOURCE: New York Times
White House formally invites Republicans to health-care summit
The White House formally invited Republicans on Friday to attend a health-care summit Feb. 25, calling it "the next step" in the process of reforming the country's broken health insurance system and pledging to post the text of a reform proposal online before the gathering.
In a letter to lawmakers, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the half-day meeting at Blair House would include the top Democratic and Republican congressional leaders and the ranking members in committees that deal with health care.
Outlining the format for a session some Republicans have derided as little more than political theater, the Obama advisers said both parties would be allowed to invite four other members each to the discussion, to begin at 10 a.m. and be televised live.
SOURCE: Washington Post
In a letter to lawmakers, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the half-day meeting at Blair House would include the top Democratic and Republican congressional leaders and the ranking members in committees that deal with health care.
Outlining the format for a session some Republicans have derided as little more than political theater, the Obama advisers said both parties would be allowed to invite four other members each to the discussion, to begin at 10 a.m. and be televised live.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Democrats will Implement "Trick" to Pass Health Care Reform
Posted by: Michele Bachmann at 7:35 PM
Well, so much for a bipartisan strategy session on health care. Despite calls from the White House about bringing Republicans to the table to get their ideas into the debate, it looks like Democrats have already decided on a plan to pass their original legislation. Legislation Americans have soundly rejected from coast to coast.
Speaking at the National Health Policy Conference hosted by Academy Health and Health Affairs, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's senior health care adviser Wendell Primus said that Democratic leaders in Congress will implement a legislative "trick" to pass their very unpopular version of health care reform.
Mark Tapscott with the Washington Examiner writes that Congress Daily, which originally published the story, is a subscription-only publication, but provided a link to LifeNews.com, which provided these details:
Why propose a televised, bipartisan meeting on February 25th if the underlying plan has been to pass the Democrats' original health care proposal all along? Well, it's simple. President Obama wants to give the appearance of bipartisan cooperation without without really caring at all. It's one PR stunt after another with this White House, and this latest action is a clear assault on the intelligence of the American people.
The Democratic leadership of this Congress and White House simply refuses to take no for an answer when it comes to a government takeover of your health care. They simply refuse to consider any idea being proposed by me or any of my Republican colleagues. Is this the leadership you want in Washington, or more importantly, the leadership you deserve?
SOURCE: Town Hall
Well, so much for a bipartisan strategy session on health care. Despite calls from the White House about bringing Republicans to the table to get their ideas into the debate, it looks like Democrats have already decided on a plan to pass their original legislation. Legislation Americans have soundly rejected from coast to coast.
Speaking at the National Health Policy Conference hosted by Academy Health and Health Affairs, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's senior health care adviser Wendell Primus said that Democratic leaders in Congress will implement a legislative "trick" to pass their very unpopular version of health care reform.
Mark Tapscott with the Washington Examiner writes that Congress Daily, which originally published the story, is a subscription-only publication, but provided a link to LifeNews.com, which provided these details:
"In comments reported by Congress Daily, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s top health care aide Wendell Primus admitted top Democrats have already decided on the strategy to pass the Senate's pro-abortion, government-run health care bill.
"Primus explained that the Senate will use the controversial reconciliation strategy that will have the House approve the Senate bill and both the House and Senate okaying changes to the bill that the Senate will sign off on by preventing Republicans from filibustering.
“'The trick in all of this is that the president would have to sign the Senate bill first, then the reconciliation bill second, and the reconciliation bill would trump the Senate bill.
“'There's a certain skill, there's a trick, but I think we'll get it done,' Primus said."
Why propose a televised, bipartisan meeting on February 25th if the underlying plan has been to pass the Democrats' original health care proposal all along? Well, it's simple. President Obama wants to give the appearance of bipartisan cooperation without without really caring at all. It's one PR stunt after another with this White House, and this latest action is a clear assault on the intelligence of the American people.
The Democratic leadership of this Congress and White House simply refuses to take no for an answer when it comes to a government takeover of your health care. They simply refuse to consider any idea being proposed by me or any of my Republican colleagues. Is this the leadership you want in Washington, or more importantly, the leadership you deserve?
SOURCE: Town Hall
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Republican Leadership Call for Health Care Bill to be Scrapped
ABC's Sunlen Miller reports: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader John Boehner emerged from a meeting with President Obama today on job creation – but had much to say about their views on the status of health care reform. Their meeting did not have much to do with health care reform, the leaders said, but it was their concerns about the president’s invitation for the February 25th health care summit that dominated the conversation with reporters afterward, each calling for the president to scrap the health care bill.
“We’re trying to understanding what it is we’re trying to accomplish with this health care meeting,” Boehner said referring the letter he and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor sent to the White House yesterday. “We’re hopeful that we’ll get some answers as we consider what to do about the February 25th meeting.”
Boehner said it is hard to have a bipartisan conversation over a bill that can’t even be passed.
“The president wants to have bipartisan conversations. It is going to be very difficult to have a bipartisan conversation with regard to a 2,700 page heath care bill that’s a Democrat majority in the House and a Democrat majority in the Senate can’t pass. So why are we going to talk about a bill that can’t pass? It really is time to scrap the bill and start over.”
McConnell agreed.
SOURCE: ABC News
“We’re trying to understanding what it is we’re trying to accomplish with this health care meeting,” Boehner said referring the letter he and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor sent to the White House yesterday. “We’re hopeful that we’ll get some answers as we consider what to do about the February 25th meeting.”
Boehner said it is hard to have a bipartisan conversation over a bill that can’t even be passed.
“The president wants to have bipartisan conversations. It is going to be very difficult to have a bipartisan conversation with regard to a 2,700 page heath care bill that’s a Democrat majority in the House and a Democrat majority in the Senate can’t pass. So why are we going to talk about a bill that can’t pass? It really is time to scrap the bill and start over.”
McConnell agreed.
SOURCE: ABC News
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Obama to take health bill that's not all he wants
Signaling he'd meet critics part way on health care, President Barack Obama said Tuesday he's willing to sign a bill even if it doesn't deliver everything he pursued through a year of grinding effort at risk of going down as a dismal failure.
The Democrats' massive health overhaul legislation is stalled in Congress by disagreements within the party and the loss last month of their 60th Senate vote, and with it, control of the agenda. Republicans suspect that Obama's invitation to a televised health care summit Feb. 25 is a thinly disguised political trap. On Tuesday, the president tried to change the dour dynamic, indicating he could settle for less in order to move ahead.
"Let's put the best ideas on the table," Obama told reporters after meeting with congressional leaders of both parties. "My hope is that we can find enough overlap that we can say, this is the right way to move forward, even if I don't get every single thing that I want."
Obama's overarching goals are to rein in medical costs and expand coverage to millions of uninsured. Specifically, Obama said he'd be willing to work on ways to limit medical malpractice lawsuits — one of the main ideas Republicans have for reducing costs, by addressing the problem of defensive medicine. Democrats, who count trial lawyers among their most generous contributors, especially in an election year, have blocked all previous attempts to tackle the issue.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The Democrats' massive health overhaul legislation is stalled in Congress by disagreements within the party and the loss last month of their 60th Senate vote, and with it, control of the agenda. Republicans suspect that Obama's invitation to a televised health care summit Feb. 25 is a thinly disguised political trap. On Tuesday, the president tried to change the dour dynamic, indicating he could settle for less in order to move ahead.
"Let's put the best ideas on the table," Obama told reporters after meeting with congressional leaders of both parties. "My hope is that we can find enough overlap that we can say, this is the right way to move forward, even if I don't get every single thing that I want."
Obama's overarching goals are to rein in medical costs and expand coverage to millions of uninsured. Specifically, Obama said he'd be willing to work on ways to limit medical malpractice lawsuits — one of the main ideas Republicans have for reducing costs, by addressing the problem of defensive medicine. Democrats, who count trial lawyers among their most generous contributors, especially in an election year, have blocked all previous attempts to tackle the issue.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Murtha’s Death Another Blow To ObamaCare
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., has passed away at the age of 77 from complications from gall bladder surgery in late January. Renowned even on Capitol Hill for his ability to bring pork back to his district, Murtha faced numerous brushes with ethical issues over the decades.
Murtha’s district now is a possible pickup for the House GOP. Murtha won re-election with 58% of the vote in 2008. But John McCain narrowly carried the district over Barack Obama in a Democratic year.
Getting health care through Congress is even more of a hurdle. The House passed its health bill 220-215 in November. But Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., resigned at the end of 2009. The lone GOP member to vote yes, Joseph Cao of Louisiana, has said he won’t do so again. Now with Murtha’s passing, that would leave Speaker Nancy Pelosi with just 217 votes for the original bill.
SOURCE: Investor's Business Daily
Murtha’s district now is a possible pickup for the House GOP. Murtha won re-election with 58% of the vote in 2008. But John McCain narrowly carried the district over Barack Obama in a Democratic year.
Getting health care through Congress is even more of a hurdle. The House passed its health bill 220-215 in November. But Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., resigned at the end of 2009. The lone GOP member to vote yes, Joseph Cao of Louisiana, has said he won’t do so again. Now with Murtha’s passing, that would leave Speaker Nancy Pelosi with just 217 votes for the original bill.
SOURCE: Investor's Business Daily
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Obama seeks to rally glum Dems amid GOP challenges
While Republicans have stood in solid opposition to the president's proposed overhaul of health care, Obama insisted he wasn't willing to abandon his top domestic priority that consumed months of his agenda and has produced slim hints of victory.
"Let me be clear: I am not going to walk away from health care insurance reform," Obama said, bringing the audience in the hotel ballroom to their feet.
Republicans, though, made clear the Democrats' current health proposals must be scrapped.
"If they get past this arrogant phase that they have been stuck in about a year, if they can work their way past that and concentrate on the real problem which is the cost, we are willing to look at it," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "To work together, first you have to do it on a bipartisan basis."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"Let me be clear: I am not going to walk away from health care insurance reform," Obama said, bringing the audience in the hotel ballroom to their feet.
Republicans, though, made clear the Democrats' current health proposals must be scrapped.
"If they get past this arrogant phase that they have been stuck in about a year, if they can work their way past that and concentrate on the real problem which is the cost, we are willing to look at it," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "To work together, first you have to do it on a bipartisan basis."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Friday, February 5, 2010
Obama admits health care overhaul may die on Hill
No, maybe he can't. President Barack Obama, who insisted he would succeed where other presidents had failed to fix the nation's health care system, now concedes the effort may die in Congress.
The president's newly conflicting signals could frustrate Democratic lawmakers who are hungry for guidance from the White House as they try to salvage the effort to extend coverage to millions of uninsured Americans and hold down spiraling medical costs. Obama's comments Thursday night came hours after Republican Scott Brown was sworn in to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy, leaving Democrats without their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and Obama's signature health legislation with no clear path forward.
"I think it's very important for us to have a methodical, open process over the next several weeks, and then let's go ahead and make a decision," Obama said at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.
"And it may be that ... if Congress decides we're not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not," the president said. "And that's how democracy works. There will be elections coming up, and they'll be able to make a determination and register their concerns."
It appeared to be a shift in tone for the issue the "Yes we can" candidate campaigned on and made the centerpiece of his domestic agenda last year. In a speech to a joint session of Congress in September, Obama declared: "I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. ... Here and now we will meet history's test."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The president's newly conflicting signals could frustrate Democratic lawmakers who are hungry for guidance from the White House as they try to salvage the effort to extend coverage to millions of uninsured Americans and hold down spiraling medical costs. Obama's comments Thursday night came hours after Republican Scott Brown was sworn in to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy, leaving Democrats without their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and Obama's signature health legislation with no clear path forward.
"I think it's very important for us to have a methodical, open process over the next several weeks, and then let's go ahead and make a decision," Obama said at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.
"And it may be that ... if Congress decides we're not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not," the president said. "And that's how democracy works. There will be elections coming up, and they'll be able to make a determination and register their concerns."
It appeared to be a shift in tone for the issue the "Yes we can" candidate campaigned on and made the centerpiece of his domestic agenda last year. In a speech to a joint session of Congress in September, Obama declared: "I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. ... Here and now we will meet history's test."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Public Share of Health Tab to Top 50%
For the first time, government programs next year will account for more than half of all U.S. health-care spending, federal actuaries predict, as the weak economy sends more people into Medicaid and slows growth of private insurance.
The figures show how federal and state spending is taking a bigger role while Congress hesitates over a health-care overhaul.
Government health programs are a growing burden on the federal budget, which is running annual deficits of more than $1 trillion, and rising health costs continue to batter private industry.
By 2020, according to the new projections, about one in five dollars spent in the U.S. will go to health care, a proportion far beyond any other industrialized nation.
"It's going to be a desperate issue five to 10 years out," said Gail Wilensky, the former top Medicare official in the George H.W. Bush administration. She said the U.S. will have to decide soon between raising revenue to pay for Medicare or reducing benefits.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
The figures show how federal and state spending is taking a bigger role while Congress hesitates over a health-care overhaul.
Government health programs are a growing burden on the federal budget, which is running annual deficits of more than $1 trillion, and rising health costs continue to batter private industry.
By 2020, according to the new projections, about one in five dollars spent in the U.S. will go to health care, a proportion far beyond any other industrialized nation.
"It's going to be a desperate issue five to 10 years out," said Gail Wilensky, the former top Medicare official in the George H.W. Bush administration. She said the U.S. will have to decide soon between raising revenue to pay for Medicare or reducing benefits.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Virginia Senate bills say no to requiring health insurance
Virginia's Democratic-controlled state Senate passed measures Monday that would make it illegal to require individuals to purchase health insurance, a direct challenge to the party's efforts in Washington to reform health care.
The bills, a top priority of Virginia's "tea party" movement, were approved 23 to 17 as five Democrats who represent swing areas of the state joined all 18 Republicans in the chamber in backing the legislation.
The votes came less than a week after President Obama implored Democrats in Washington not to abandon their health-care efforts, urging them in his State of the Union address not to "run for the hills" on the issue.
But the action in Virginia, a state that backed Obama in 2008, could indicate that the president is failing to reassure members of his own party that current reform efforts remain worthwhile. The votes also suggest that Democrats on the state level fear that supporting health-care reform could be politically damaging, and their action could put pressure on members of the state's congressional delegation who have been behind the effort...
SOURCE: Washington Post
The bills, a top priority of Virginia's "tea party" movement, were approved 23 to 17 as five Democrats who represent swing areas of the state joined all 18 Republicans in the chamber in backing the legislation.
The votes came less than a week after President Obama implored Democrats in Washington not to abandon their health-care efforts, urging them in his State of the Union address not to "run for the hills" on the issue.
But the action in Virginia, a state that backed Obama in 2008, could indicate that the president is failing to reassure members of his own party that current reform efforts remain worthwhile. The votes also suggest that Democrats on the state level fear that supporting health-care reform could be politically damaging, and their action could put pressure on members of the state's congressional delegation who have been behind the effort...
SOURCE: Washington Post
Sen.-elect Scott Brown seeks to be sworn in Thursday
US Senator-elect Scott Brown this afternoon sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin, requesting them to "certify without delay" the results of the Jan. 19 special election.
In a letter written by his legal counsel, Daniel B. Winslow, Brown said he wanted the results certified no later than 11 a.m. Thursday so that he can deliver a copy to the Secretary of the United States Senate in time to be administered the oath of office by Thursday afternoon.
Brown had initially planned to be sworn into office Feb. 11 but, Winslow wrote, “he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date. For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately.”
Galvin completed his certification of the official election results today, which now must be approved by the Governor’s Council, and then signed by Galvin and Patrick. The governor has been away from the State House this afternoon, with several events in Taunton, so the certification did not occur this afternoon.
Patrick is planning to certify the results tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., which would then allow Brown to travel to Washington for the swearing-in. Top officials in Washington could not be immediately reached for comment to see if they are prepared to conduct the ceremony tomorrow.
SOURCE: Boston Globe
In a letter written by his legal counsel, Daniel B. Winslow, Brown said he wanted the results certified no later than 11 a.m. Thursday so that he can deliver a copy to the Secretary of the United States Senate in time to be administered the oath of office by Thursday afternoon.
Brown had initially planned to be sworn into office Feb. 11 but, Winslow wrote, “he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date. For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately.”
Galvin completed his certification of the official election results today, which now must be approved by the Governor’s Council, and then signed by Galvin and Patrick. The governor has been away from the State House this afternoon, with several events in Taunton, so the certification did not occur this afternoon.
Patrick is planning to certify the results tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., which would then allow Brown to travel to Washington for the swearing-in. Top officials in Washington could not be immediately reached for comment to see if they are prepared to conduct the ceremony tomorrow.
SOURCE: Boston Globe
Monday, February 1, 2010
Catholic Bishops Lobby for ObamaCare, Amnesty for Illegals
Calling health care a "right" to be guaranteed by the federal government, America's Catholic Bishops are trying to save ObamaCare at a time when the legislation has been pronounced in limbo, dying or dead by most of the media.
The evidence of intensive Catholic Bishop lobbying activity suggests that liberal Congressional leaders are going to give the legislation a temporary respite so that liberal Catholics can be persuaded to pressure Congress to pass both national health care legislation and "comprehensive immigration reform" in the form of H.R. 4321, the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity" Act.
As AIM has documented, lobbying by the Catholic Bishops and their representatives, who worked closely with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, guaranteed passage of the health care bill in the House.
In a January 13 conference call and briefing, Kevin Appleby, a representative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, explained in frank language why the Bishops are so desperate to pass the health care and immigration bills. He said that the Bishops want a federal health plan to absorb the costs being borne by the nation's 600 Catholic hospitals to cover illegal aliens.
SOURCE: Accuracy in Media
The evidence of intensive Catholic Bishop lobbying activity suggests that liberal Congressional leaders are going to give the legislation a temporary respite so that liberal Catholics can be persuaded to pressure Congress to pass both national health care legislation and "comprehensive immigration reform" in the form of H.R. 4321, the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity" Act.
As AIM has documented, lobbying by the Catholic Bishops and their representatives, who worked closely with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, guaranteed passage of the health care bill in the House.
In a January 13 conference call and briefing, Kevin Appleby, a representative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, explained in frank language why the Bishops are so desperate to pass the health care and immigration bills. He said that the Bishops want a federal health plan to absorb the costs being borne by the nation's 600 Catholic hospitals to cover illegal aliens.
SOURCE: Accuracy in Media
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Democrats quietly working to resuscitate healthcare overhaul
President Obama's campaign to overhaul the nation's healthcare system is officially on the back burner as Democrats turn to the task of stimulating job growth, but behind the scenes party leaders have nearly settled on a strategy to salvage the massive legislation.
They are meeting almost daily to plot legislative moves while gently persuading skittish rank-and-file lawmakers to back a sweeping bill.
This effort is deliberately being undertaken quietly as Democrats work to focus attention on more-popular initiatives to bring down unemployment, which the president said was a priority in his State of the Union address on Wednesday.
Many have concluded that the only hope for resuscitating the healthcare legislation is to push the issue off the front page and give lawmakers time to work out a new compromise and shift public perception of the bill.
"A little bit of time and quiet could help," said Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor, a conservative Democrat who was among a group of centrist Democrats from the House and Senate who met last week to discuss a way forward on healthcare.
"Human nature being what it is, it's always easier to be against something than to be for it. And if you create any uncertainty with change, opponents can jump on that and just try to scare people. . . . That has been hard to overcome politically," Pryor said. "Maybe over time, people will have a chance to understand what is in the legislation."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) particularly want to give members time to recover from the shock of Republican Scott Brown's victory in the Massachusetts Senate race two weeks ago. The election cost Democrats their filibuster-proof Senate majority.
But in the coming weeks, Pelosi and Reid hope to rally House Democrats behind the healthcare bill passed by the Senate while simultaneously trying persuade Senate Democrats to approve a series of changes to the legislation using budget procedures that bar filibusters.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
They are meeting almost daily to plot legislative moves while gently persuading skittish rank-and-file lawmakers to back a sweeping bill.
This effort is deliberately being undertaken quietly as Democrats work to focus attention on more-popular initiatives to bring down unemployment, which the president said was a priority in his State of the Union address on Wednesday.
Many have concluded that the only hope for resuscitating the healthcare legislation is to push the issue off the front page and give lawmakers time to work out a new compromise and shift public perception of the bill.
"A little bit of time and quiet could help," said Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor, a conservative Democrat who was among a group of centrist Democrats from the House and Senate who met last week to discuss a way forward on healthcare.
"Human nature being what it is, it's always easier to be against something than to be for it. And if you create any uncertainty with change, opponents can jump on that and just try to scare people. . . . That has been hard to overcome politically," Pryor said. "Maybe over time, people will have a chance to understand what is in the legislation."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) particularly want to give members time to recover from the shock of Republican Scott Brown's victory in the Massachusetts Senate race two weeks ago. The election cost Democrats their filibuster-proof Senate majority.
But in the coming weeks, Pelosi and Reid hope to rally House Democrats behind the healthcare bill passed by the Senate while simultaneously trying persuade Senate Democrats to approve a series of changes to the legislation using budget procedures that bar filibusters.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
Healthcare reform not dead, says Van Hollen; Boehner agrees
Healthcare is not dead, according to a high-ranking Democratic lawmaker -- a point conceded by the top House Republican.
Despite the GOP election upset in Massachusetts two weeks ago, a key House Democrat told “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace that House leaders are working with their Senate counterparts to move a healthcare reform compromise.
“We're still looking at a way to do comprehensive legislation. Certainly, certain provisions have to be dropped out. The Nebraska deal and other portions of that -- even Sen. Nelson has said he doesn't want that in the bill. … But the goal is still to try to get comprehensive healthcare passed,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said on Sunday morning.
Republicans had considered the legislation all but dead after voters replaced former Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D) seat with Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown, who ran on a pledge to be the 41st senator to filibuster the healthcare bill.
But House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) conceded on a different show that the controversial measure was alive.
“We've seen all week Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid continuing to scheme and plot trying to find some way to get their big government takeover of healthcare enacted,” Boehner said on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” pledging that Repubicans would be “vigilant in exposing this.”
SOURCE: The Hill
Despite the GOP election upset in Massachusetts two weeks ago, a key House Democrat told “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace that House leaders are working with their Senate counterparts to move a healthcare reform compromise.
“We're still looking at a way to do comprehensive legislation. Certainly, certain provisions have to be dropped out. The Nebraska deal and other portions of that -- even Sen. Nelson has said he doesn't want that in the bill. … But the goal is still to try to get comprehensive healthcare passed,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said on Sunday morning.
Republicans had considered the legislation all but dead after voters replaced former Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D) seat with Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown, who ran on a pledge to be the 41st senator to filibuster the healthcare bill.
But House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) conceded on a different show that the controversial measure was alive.
“We've seen all week Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid continuing to scheme and plot trying to find some way to get their big government takeover of healthcare enacted,” Boehner said on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” pledging that Repubicans would be “vigilant in exposing this.”
SOURCE: The Hill
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Latest Path for Health Care Reform
Health care dead? Many members of the House still don’t think so, even though they are still adamant they won’t just pass the Senate health reform bill, and then try to fix it through budget reconciliation.
So where’s the reason for any hope? There’s a new tack members are looking at that does not require them to trust the fallible, more deliberative chamber. That’s pass the fix through budget reconciliation first.
“I think fixing it first, then passing the Senate bill” is a possibility, Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel said. “I wouldn’t pass the Senate bill with the hope that we fix it, even if they agree to it.”
The thinking is simple.
“Some people say that because all money — finance bills — have to emanate from the House, that you could do reconciliation first, which would be fixing the bill, 51 votes (in the Senate), and then getting the House to pass the (original) Senate bill after the Senate has passed reconciliation,” he said.
Queens Rep. Gary Ackerman suggested a similar plan to twin a reconciliation measure with the Senate bill.
“I was talking about doing them concurrently, with a special rule that would have to be passed first in the House and agreed to ahead of time in the Senate, that when one is passed the other bill is deemed to be passed at the same time,” Ackerman said. “But they have to be agreed to first.”
SOURCE: New York Daily News
So where’s the reason for any hope? There’s a new tack members are looking at that does not require them to trust the fallible, more deliberative chamber. That’s pass the fix through budget reconciliation first.
“I think fixing it first, then passing the Senate bill” is a possibility, Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel said. “I wouldn’t pass the Senate bill with the hope that we fix it, even if they agree to it.”
The thinking is simple.
“Some people say that because all money — finance bills — have to emanate from the House, that you could do reconciliation first, which would be fixing the bill, 51 votes (in the Senate), and then getting the House to pass the (original) Senate bill after the Senate has passed reconciliation,” he said.
Queens Rep. Gary Ackerman suggested a similar plan to twin a reconciliation measure with the Senate bill.
“I was talking about doing them concurrently, with a special rule that would have to be passed first in the House and agreed to ahead of time in the Senate, that when one is passed the other bill is deemed to be passed at the same time,” Ackerman said. “But they have to be agreed to first.”
SOURCE: New York Daily News
Democrats vow to move ahead on healthcare
Democratic congressional leaders said on Thursday they would keep pushing for a stalled healthcare overhaul and would explore all options to pass it, but acknowledged the process would not move quickly.
The day after President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress, leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives said they would not abandon the bill despite sharp Democratic divisions on how to proceed.
"We will move on many fronts -- any front we can," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the overhaul, mired in legislative gridlock since last week's Republican win in Massachusetts cost Democrats their crucial 60th vote in the Senate.
"We must take whatever time it takes to do it," she told reporters. "But we are going to get healthcare reform passed for the American people."
SOURCE: Reuters
The day after President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress, leaders in the Senate and the House of Representatives said they would not abandon the bill despite sharp Democratic divisions on how to proceed.
"We will move on many fronts -- any front we can," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the overhaul, mired in legislative gridlock since last week's Republican win in Massachusetts cost Democrats their crucial 60th vote in the Senate.
"We must take whatever time it takes to do it," she told reporters. "But we are going to get healthcare reform passed for the American people."
SOURCE: Reuters
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Congress slows down on health care
Congressional leaders are taking health care legislation off the fast track as rank-and-file Democrats, wary of unhappy midterm election voters, look to President Barack Obama for guidance in his State of the Union address.
House and Senate leaders said Tuesday they need time to determine the best way forward on health care in the wake of last week's special election loss in Massachusetts, which cost Democrats their filibuster-proof Senate majority.
Obama is not expected to offer a specific prescription in Wednesday night's speech, but Democrats want to hear him renew his commitment to the health care overhaul he's spent the past year promoting as his top domestic priority.
It is now badly adrift, and lawmakers want to stop talking about the divisive topic and move on to jobs and the economy, the issues they say preoccupy their constituents.
"The president effectively will hit the reset button (Wednesday) night, after which we'll have a matter of weeks, not months to get this right," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.
"We're reaching the point where our momentum is clearly stopped already," Weiner said. "If we're going to do this, I think we have to do this soon."
Not so, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"We're going to find out how to proceed," Reid told reporters Tuesday. "But there is no rush."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
House and Senate leaders said Tuesday they need time to determine the best way forward on health care in the wake of last week's special election loss in Massachusetts, which cost Democrats their filibuster-proof Senate majority.
Obama is not expected to offer a specific prescription in Wednesday night's speech, but Democrats want to hear him renew his commitment to the health care overhaul he's spent the past year promoting as his top domestic priority.
It is now badly adrift, and lawmakers want to stop talking about the divisive topic and move on to jobs and the economy, the issues they say preoccupy their constituents.
"The president effectively will hit the reset button (Wednesday) night, after which we'll have a matter of weeks, not months to get this right," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.
"We're reaching the point where our momentum is clearly stopped already," Weiner said. "If we're going to do this, I think we have to do this soon."
Not so, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"We're going to find out how to proceed," Reid told reporters Tuesday. "But there is no rush."
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Democrats Slam Brakes on Health Care Overhaul
With no clear path forward on major health care legislation, Democratic leaders in Congress effectively slammed the brakes on President Obama’s top domestic priority on Tuesday, saying that they no longer felt pressure to move quickly on a health bill after eight months of setting deadlines and missing them.
The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, deflected questions about health care. “We’re not on health care now,” he said. “We’ve talked a lot about it in the past.” He added, “There is no rush,” and noted that Congress still had most of this year to work on the health bills passed in 2009 by the Senate and the House.
Mr. Reid said that he and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California, were working to map out a way to complete a health care overhaul in coming months. “There are a number of options being discussed,” Mr. Reid said, emphasizing “procedural aspects” of the issue.
At the same time, two centrist Democratic senators who are up for re-election this year, Blanche L. Lincoln of Arkansas and Evan Bayh of Indiana, said that they would resist efforts to muscle through a health care bill using a parliamentary tactic called budget reconciliation, which seemed to be the simplest way to advance the measure.
The White House has said in recent days that it would support that approach...
SOURCE: New York Times
The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, deflected questions about health care. “We’re not on health care now,” he said. “We’ve talked a lot about it in the past.” He added, “There is no rush,” and noted that Congress still had most of this year to work on the health bills passed in 2009 by the Senate and the House.
Mr. Reid said that he and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California, were working to map out a way to complete a health care overhaul in coming months. “There are a number of options being discussed,” Mr. Reid said, emphasizing “procedural aspects” of the issue.
At the same time, two centrist Democratic senators who are up for re-election this year, Blanche L. Lincoln of Arkansas and Evan Bayh of Indiana, said that they would resist efforts to muscle through a health care bill using a parliamentary tactic called budget reconciliation, which seemed to be the simplest way to advance the measure.
The White House has said in recent days that it would support that approach...
SOURCE: New York Times
Poll Shows Growing Fears on Health Care Overhaul
Fears about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul increased significantly in December, according to a new poll released as the legislation's future hangs in doubt. The monthly poll out Monday from the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation measured consumers' views of how a remake would affect their own finances and access to care, among other things.
It was conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 20, in the run-up to the Senate's Christmas Eve passage of sweeping health care legislation that brought Congress closer than ever before to enacting a comprehensive revamp of the nation's medical system. That effort was cast into turmoil last week when a GOP victory in Massachusetts' special Senate election robbed Democrats of their filibuster-proof supermajority.
The survey shows a majority are following the health care debate in Congress — and their trepidation is evidently growing as they do.
Nonetheless, people still think that Obama should address the issue as part of dealing with the nation's economic slump, although the percentage of people who say that it's very important for Obama to do so has slipped from 56 percent in the survey conducted in September, to 49.5 percent in this month's report...
SOURCE: Associated Press > ABC News
It was conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 20, in the run-up to the Senate's Christmas Eve passage of sweeping health care legislation that brought Congress closer than ever before to enacting a comprehensive revamp of the nation's medical system. That effort was cast into turmoil last week when a GOP victory in Massachusetts' special Senate election robbed Democrats of their filibuster-proof supermajority.
The survey shows a majority are following the health care debate in Congress — and their trepidation is evidently growing as they do.
Nonetheless, people still think that Obama should address the issue as part of dealing with the nation's economic slump, although the percentage of people who say that it's very important for Obama to do so has slipped from 56 percent in the survey conducted in September, to 49.5 percent in this month's report...
SOURCE: Associated Press > ABC News
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dem leaders unite on health care strategy
Democratic congressional leaders are uniting around their last, best hope for salvaging President Barack Obama's sweeping health care overhaul.
Their plan is to pass the Senate bill with some changes to accommodate House Democrats, senior Democratic aides said Monday. Leaders will present the idea to the rank and file this week, but it's unclear that they will have the votes to move forward.
Last week's victory by Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts cost Democrats the 60th vote they need to maintain undisputed control of the Senate, jeopardizing the outcome of the health care bill just when Obama had brokered a final deal on most of the major issues.
"We've put so much effort into this, so much hard work, and we were so close to doing some significant things. Now we have to find the political path that brings us out. And it's not easy," the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said Monday.
The new strategy is as politically risky as it is bold. There is widespread support for Obama's goals of expanding coverage to nearly all Americans while trying to slow costs. But polls show the public is deeply skeptical of the Democratic bills, and Republicans would certainly accuse Democrats of ignoring voters' wishes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Breitbart
Their plan is to pass the Senate bill with some changes to accommodate House Democrats, senior Democratic aides said Monday. Leaders will present the idea to the rank and file this week, but it's unclear that they will have the votes to move forward.
Last week's victory by Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts cost Democrats the 60th vote they need to maintain undisputed control of the Senate, jeopardizing the outcome of the health care bill just when Obama had brokered a final deal on most of the major issues.
"We've put so much effort into this, so much hard work, and we were so close to doing some significant things. Now we have to find the political path that brings us out. And it's not easy," the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said Monday.
The new strategy is as politically risky as it is bold. There is widespread support for Obama's goals of expanding coverage to nearly all Americans while trying to slow costs. But polls show the public is deeply skeptical of the Democratic bills, and Republicans would certainly accuse Democrats of ignoring voters' wishes.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Breitbart
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