Democrats expect healthcare overhaul to pass

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

By Donna Smith

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading Democrats on Sunday said they expect Congress to pass a major healthcare reform backed by President Barack Obama, but supporters may have to accept legislation that falls short on some issues.

The U.S. Senate on Monday is set to begin debate on the sweeping overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system amid growing concerns about the cost of the legislation that aims to provide medical coverage for millions of the uninsured.

"We want to cover the uninsured, yes, but we don't want to do it in a way that's going to drive up the costs for folks who currently have it," said Senator Evan Bayh, one of a number of centrist Democrats whose support will be crucial to pass the overhaul in the face of solid Republican opposition.

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Bayh said he would push to make sure the legislation is cost effective but acknowledged that not every senator will get what he wants.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN1812587720091129

[redirish28]

1. Of course they expect it until it doesn't pass because someone

or someones jumped ship at last minute.


Sorry not holding my breath. Just have a bad feeling I can't shake.

[pattmarty]

2. TRANSLATION: "not every senator will get what he wants"= SHIT BILL.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. Why do I think the Repugs are getting more than the Dems?

Their insurance company backers will be happy, and the Repugs will be given a 'mandate' to repeal a bill after they win elections because Democrats won't come out to the polls to defend something which only makes things worse.

But we will have to see what's in the final bill before we decide what to do next November...

[2Design]

3. if it not equivalent to what the congress have then canned it and can the wars

don't waste our money on crap and delete their health care too

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

4. "falls short on some issues"... like health care

[bluestateguy]

6. I often am prompted to ask

OK, so the liberals will have to sacrifice some things. Fine, I accept that. But just what are the DLC/Blue Dogs going to sacrifice? The irony is that without a bill, the thing the Blue Dogs and DLCers may be sacrificing are their seats in Congress. Democrats like John Dingell, John Conyers and Maxine Waters are in nice cozy safe districts. They aren't going anywhere no matter what happens.

[depakid]

10. The blue dogs are already done

Their seats generally have the smallest swings- so their alienation of their progressive base means that turnout alone determines their fate.

You can count on several percentage points, at the least. More with some than others.

[femmocrat]

7. They will pass "something" and Obama will sign it with great hoopla.

And everyone will pat himself on the back while nothing changes for the rest of us.

:(

[Cleita]

8. Well if it falls short of real health reform, which would be an opportunity to extend

Medicare to all who desire it, then why bother? Anything else is rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I'm really hoping that by not every Senator getting what they want that those Senators be Joe Lieberman and Olympia Snowe.

[Nite Owl]

9. The Democratic wing of the Democratic

party gets left in the cold again.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Adios, Public Option!

The estimated 1% of Americans who could benefit from the current feeble version can all bid it farewell.