March 12, 2010
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaled Friday that votes on a health care overhaul could come by the end of next week. Politico: During a Friday meeting with Democratic members, Pelosi told lawmakers to “clear their schedules for next weekend.” She also promised “to stay in session until the landmark vote, people present said afterwards.” Speculation continues that Pelosi doesn’t yet have the votes lined up to pass a reform bill, but that she’s close. “In addition, it looks like House Democrats won’t have to vote directly on a Senate bill they really don’t like. The speaker hasn’t made a final decision, but she told her… Continue reading
March 12, 2010
Roll Call: After initially indicating ”the Senate-passed health reform bill must be signed into law before Congress acts on companion reconciliation legislation, the Senate Parliamentarian has acknowledged that there are perhaps ways to draft a reconciliation measure that could move first.” But, if Democrats choose to pursue this approach, “they likely would have to narrow the scope of the reconciliation bill.” The Parliamentarian has noted that moving a broad reconciliation measure without the Senate measure first being signed into law “could create challenging procedural hurdles for Senate Democrats.” This week, Senate GOP leadership received word from the Parliamentarian’s office that… Continue reading
March 12, 2010
There are some harsh words for Democrats trying to overhaul health care in the Washinton Post this morning.
Comprehensive health care has been lost. If it fails, as appears possible, Democrats will face the brunt of the electorate’s reaction. If it passes, however, Democrats will face a far greater calamitous reaction at the polls. Wishing, praying or pretending will not change these outcomes.
Such rhetoric is common coming from Republicans these days, but this is different. The broadside comes in an opinion piece from Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen, pollsters for the last two Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter and… Continue reading
March 12, 2010
\President Barack Obama has delayed his first international trip of the year, a three-country visit to Asia, to focus attention on the final push to salvage health care legislation after a year of contentious debate. Go to Source… Continue reading
March 12, 2010
Urban Institute: The Cost Of Uncompensated Care With And Without Health Reform – This report analyzes various health bills. “The cost of uncompensated care will fall from $62.1 billion in 2009 to $46.6 billion in 2019 under the Senate bill, and to $36.5 billion in 2019 with the House bill. Without reform, the cost of uncompensated care will increase to between $107 and $141 billion in 2019, depending on growth in the economy and health care costs. … Without health reform, the number of uninsured and the amount of uncompensated care will grow substantially. This will translate into increased pressure… Continue reading
