Dems: We will move forward on health reform - "80 percent in agreement"

[jefferson_dem]

Dems: We will move forward on health reform
Meanwhile, Republicans said they will continue their opposition to the plan
The Associated Press

updated 12:05 p.m. ET, Sun., July 26, 2009

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats alone cannot pass President Barack Obama's ambitious overhaul of how Americans receive health care, a top lawmaker acknowledged on Sunday. Republicans said they will continue their opposition to a plan they say is simply a government takeover of private decisions.

Both sides said they want to improve the system and provide care for almost 50 million Americans who lack health insurance coverage, but they remain deeply divided over how to reach that goal. Republicans said the longer the delay, the more the public understands the stakes of a policy that has vexed lawmakers for decades.

"Republicans want to protect the right of Americans to make their own health care decisions, to pick their own doctors and their own plans," said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. "We could have a plan in a few weeks if the goal is not a government takeover. We've never seen the government operate a plan of any kind effectively and at the budgets we talked about."

Democrats countered that their plans — and there are many iterations on Capitol Hill, as committees in both the House and Senate work on versions — would expand coverage without adding to the deficit. Even so, they are likely to leave for an August recess without a vote.

‘80 percent’ in agreement

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said they are "80 percent" in agreement on what a final version will include and are making progress.

In a separate interview, Obama adviser David Axelrod used the same line, underscoring the White House's desire to paint the missed deadline as a hiccup rather than a hurdle.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32155612/ns/politics-capitol_hill/?ocid=twitter

[saltpoint]

1. It's good to have this piece in circultion because it helps

frame the context and shape the public debate in favor of the best possible deal.

Health care reform, expressly including a public option, is a compassion-driven an pragmatic plan; the Pukes are offering opposition to it without meaningful alternatives for the lone sake of subverting Obama's presidency.

Recommended.