by Michael Muskal
The Senate began deliberations on its version of a healthcare overhaul today, with Democrats searching for a bill that will be supported by 60 senators.
Returning from the Thanksgiving holiday, the Senate slowly began the debate on President Barack Obama's centerpiece issue with the expectation that amendments and changes will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
We'll be "working on things, trying to improve it, taking out things," Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said on the floor of the Senate today. "Democrats stand ready to do so. I hope my Republican colleagues will recognize that reality even if their party leaders deny it.
"So as we round the last turn on this journey, I renew my plea to this body, to senators, Democratic and Republicans: 'Let's discuss the specifics of this bill, not the whispers and wild rumors.' "
Republicans who rejected the bill that Reid wrote were not shy. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in his opening salvo that the healthcare bill is "out of touch with the American people."
"Americans are beginning to see the truth beyond the rhetoric," McConnell said on the floor.
McConnell argued that the healthcare bill, pegged at $848 billion over 10 years, does not deal with issues wgucg Republicans consider more urgent, such as job creation in a tight economy.
Democrats argue that "history is calling," McConnell said. "I think they've got it half right. Someone is calling all right, it is not history but the American worker."
"Americans don't want this bill to pass," McConnell said.
The opening comments are just that, the first shots in the weeks of debate that lie ahead. The Senate is expected to hear several amendments today, but no votes are scheduled.
On Nov. 21, Reid was able to hold his caucus together and get the 60 votes needed to begin formal debate on his healthcare reform bill. But at least three Democrats and one independent in the group made it clear that they won't back the bill as written.
All four senators, Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Democrats Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska, were skeptical about the bill's public-option provision. Complicating the problem is that several senators, including independent Bernard Sanders of Vermont, have warned that the public option is a make-or-break issue.
Other issues that could create problems in forming a 60-vote bloc are abortion funding; steps to cut healthcare costs, particularly for Medicare; and taxes and fees to fund the overhaul.
Comments
All the power, none of the intelligence and backbone to get it done.
Here come the Bush crazies in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Posted by: springfield | November 30, 2009 3:47 PM
The Party of No is about to start shoveling the do-do, so America, put on your hipsters and get ready to wade through their lies, distortions and our money, that they are using against us, to prevent every American from having meaningful healthcare. Three simple words sum up what America needs and wants: MEDICARE FOR EVERYONE !! A single payer system is the fairest way to healthcare for everyone, except of course, the greedy Insurance Corps, the greedy Drug Corps and the greedy Republican-Liberarians.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 30, 2009 3:59 PM
Health care reform (just like Medicare and Social Security before it) is going to destroy what's left of the Republican party for at least a generation.
The Republican party doesn't oppose Health Care Reform because they think it's bad, they oppose it because they know Americans will like it and they'll like the people (Democrats) who got it passed for them.
Posted by: former Republican | November 30, 2009 4:02 PM
Republican Congressman (like "No Chin" Mitch McConnell) who oppose universal health insurance should immediately relinquish their federal health insurance. After all, these members of Congress have long enjoyed taxpayer-funded health insurance, a privilege that they apparently believe tens of millions of working, uninsured Americans and their families don't deserve.
If Republicans don't think being uninsured is a big deal, then they should go right ahead and try it out. And if they really believe a public plan is such a bad option, maybe they can persuade their parents to give up Medicare too.
Posted by: Quinn | November 30, 2009 4:07 PM
Here is a salvo for you:
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Posted by: FLZapped | November 30, 2009 4:30 PM
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All the power, none of the intelligence and backbone to get it done.Here come the Bush crazies in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Posted by: springfield | November 30, 2009 3:47 PM
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I see Springfield the Clown is still trying to do that Jedi mind trick where if he holds his breath long enough everyone will forget that he was among the low IQ right wing nutjobs who were dumb enough to vote for Bush and Cheney twice and all memory of that disaster will be erased from public record and Americans memory.
For 6 of the last 8 years the Repubs had complete control of everything. My insurance premiums doubled in that time span. I don't give a rats arse what that Republipuke party thinks or wants. Their only motivation is to protect the insurance companies and corporate America.
Posted by: HHH | November 30, 2009 5:13 PM
OK,
The current health care bill proposal fails to address tort reform, if it was included it would pick up support from many.
The current health care bill proposal claims that it will save 500 billion by addressing waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. Does anyone believe that the Democrats will support the enabling legislation required to bring this about?
This bill is going to increase the deficit over the long run and it will be the American taxpayer that will suffer.
Posted by: Pat H | November 30, 2009 6:06 PM
The right in America is angry because....they're out of power. Period, end of story.
They don't have any solutions, just the same old crap flavored stink bomb wrapped in a different (Teabagger) wrapper and presented as wanting to "take their country back".
Posted by: Zelda the Good Witch | November 30, 2009 6:09 PM
This bill is going to increase the deficit over the long run and it will be the American taxpayer that will suffer.
Posted by: Pat H | November 30, 2009 6:06 PM
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Patty,
It's funny how the Wingnutty Repub drones don't give a damn about deficits until their out of power, isn't it?
.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-jZgWHWq9EI/SJ0Az_LxgYI/AAAAAAAACgk/kuAV7ew-QH4/s400/greenberg21.jpg
Go sit back in the corner and shut your pie-holes Wingnuts, the Dems ran on healthcare reform in 2008 and they kicked the Repubs butts at the polls.
Posted by: idiots for sale | November 30, 2009 7:06 PM
Pat H., I can't believe you missed the House bill's provision re tort reform. It's right there on page 1431. They pay vague lip service to providing incentives for states to come up with their own plans - provided that they don't limit attorney's fees or put caps on damages.
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf
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I think people underestimate the influence of the trial bar.
It sounds odd to say that a bunch of lawyers are a silent influence, but they really are, at least publicly. They don't go public with their positions or run ads like the other lobbying groups. They just donate boatloads of money and always get their way. I hope you are not holding your breath for meaningful tort reform to come from this Congress.
Posted by: Herbie H. | November 30, 2009 10:47 PM
This thing passes, the DNC along with Obama, Pelosi & Reid, and anyone who votes in favor of it... their careers are toast.
Americans won't stand for socialism... watch and see.
Posted by: MAJMark | December 1, 2009 1:13 AM
MAJMark:
This thing passes, the DNC along with Obama, Pelosi & Reid, and anyone who votes in favor of it... their careers are toast.
Americans won't stand for socialism... watch and see.
You watch and see:
social security-medicare-police & fire protection-municipal waste treatment and water-libraries-public schools-FDA-special assessments-road taxes
So which one of these socialistic programs do you hate the most?
ps: if America can $pend 3 trillion on wars, America can help it's own.
Posted by: writerofwrongs | December 1, 2009 9:12 AM
How about real reform. Its in bill HR2520 but, why is no looking at it.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | December 1, 2009 10:24 AM
60% Say Passage of Health Care Reform Will Increase Deficit
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/november_2009/60_say_passage_of_health_care_reform_will_increase_deficit
Its would seem the only ones that do not get it are the Libs.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | December 1, 2009 10:38 AM
What the democrats will not say is that the republicans put up a real reform bill (HR2520) in May. But, with the help of the MSM this story is not being reported. Jan. 20, 13 can not get to soon.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | December 1, 2009 4:26 PM