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November 6, 2009 12:10 PM

House Health Care Vote Could Be Delayed

Posted by Stephanie Condon
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic leaders in the House intend to take up debate on their health care overhaul this Saturday, but they acknowledged Friday that it may be a few days before there is an actual vote on the measure.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Friday that House leaders "could use additional time, if needed," to approve its health care bill, Politico reports.

"Unless there are delaying tactics or something I don't foresee, I think we can finish the bill by 7, 8 o'clock tomorrow night," Hoyer reportedly said on a conference call. He said that Republican delay tactics or insufficient Democratic support could stall the vote until Sunday, or possibly Monday or Tuesday.

Hoyer acknowledged his party has not yet secured the 218 votes needed to pass the bill, according to the Associated Press. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has in recent days expressed more confidence in the vote. Last month she said she "definitely" had 218 votes. On Thursday, the speaker said "We will," when asked if she had the votes.

Democrats cannot lose more than 40 votes in the House if they are to pass the bill and are working to overcome issues pertaining to immigration and abortion.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care
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Steny Hoyer
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Add a Comment See all 42 Comments
by fartssmelllikepoo November 7, 2009 9:40 PM EST
hey they say they are modeling this after canada and britan, just look at how their system runs and that will tell you how this will run. canada pays what 30-40% in taxes to pay for the "free medical".

beside this bill is not about providing YOU with health care, it will be anouther form of government control over the people.

beside obama's job is to sell it to you.
Reply to this comment
by askagain November 6, 2009 10:51 PM EST
Why are we willing to accept something that Congress exempts itself from? In school we were taught that we the people are their bosses. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. How can we be confident about the health care reforms when our congressmen, our president, and our government workers exempt themselves?
Reply to this comment
by cleantheDCcesspool November 6, 2009 7:38 PM EST
Letter to my congressman and senators from Ohio, today:

The push to pass health "care" legislation, as it is now being presented, represents a gross new erosion of the Constitution of the United States of America. This horrendous collection of new bureaucracies simply erodes personal freedoms and grants to the government unimaginable power. A vote for anything like this bill is a vote for Socialism, and your vote will be recorded for posterity.
Since congress has excluded itself from being subject to this law, it has broken every oath imaginable as American lawmakers, and has shown that we no longer have a Rule of Law in America. Instead, we have a governing elite no longer subject to the will of the people -- in other words, a tyrannical government, which is what the founding fathers rebelled against. Please think about your vote.
Reply to this comment
by cbs4fairness November 6, 2009 10:44 PM EST
dude it has always been this way if not why for the past 100 years only ~20% of the population or so ever voted in presidential elections!!
by mistermcfrugal November 6, 2009 6:17 PM EST
All I know is, my wife and I live on $55,000 per year and don't have health insurance. Obama wants to force me to buy an insurance policy from him for about $1,000 per month (we're in our 50s) or else he'll wallop me with a big fine. Excuse me, but isn't this what used to be called extortion? And he and Pelosi are screaming that he's doing me a favor? Any more favors like this and we'll be broke.

I am so looking forward to voting against all Dems in 2010 and especially voting against Obama in 2012. He's nuts!!
Reply to this comment
by velma179 November 6, 2009 6:48 PM EST
mistermcfrugal writes:

"Obama wants to force me to buy an insurance policy from him for about $1000..."

MisterMc...

That isn't anywhere near the facts of this legislation. You have been sold a big load of dung.

You will be helped by the legislation. It seems you and your wife are currently healthy (good for you, I hope you stay well...).

But, if one of you gets sick and you need hospitalization or the like, you don't make enough money to pay for it.

This reform plan will give you OPTIONS so you can afford health care. It is, in no way a proposal that will hurt you financially.

Since I don't know your exact circumstance, it's hard to say -- but you likely would NOT be mandated to buy insurance (under the House or even the more stringent - and still being re-written - Senate bill) OR you would have a credit given you towards the purchase.

It angers me that folks like you have been lied to and scared into thinking all manner of dire circumstance will befall you. Dang!

Hey, vote as you wish -- your right as an American, for sure -- but please don't plan your votes based on lies and conjecture.

Besides you can't vote "against all Dems in 2010"... you only have ONE House Rep and TWO Senators. God bless America.
by hungry1968-17 November 6, 2009 5:15 PM EST
http://politicalirony.com/2009/08/10/an-oldie-but-a-goodie/
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968-17 November 6, 2009 4:40 PM EST
by alanrobisch November 6, 2009 4:19 PM EST
I think you miss the point this is a direct takeover over about 1/6 the economy and it will not lower the costs.







What exactly is being "taken over"?

The hospitals?

The doctors?

Nurses?

Please explain.
Reply to this comment
by Landon111 November 7, 2009 12:00 AM EST
The flow of money through a government bureaucracy represents a takeover and a lack of choice
by hungry1968-17 November 7, 2009 8:08 AM EST
So you think the FLOW of money through a government bureaucracy, is WORSE than the NON-FLOW of money through the DAM of corporate capitalism?

And the public option, which the republicans REFUSE TO LET YOU HAVE AS A CHOICE, is considered to be a "lack of choice"?


Why even type, if you're only going to give a non-answer?
by beecher129 November 6, 2009 4:08 PM EST
I don't understand such extreme emotions and rhetoric by conservatives. I was a fan of Reagan and voted for Bush twice but I always remember Reagan being respectful and humerous as he explained his positions. The present health care bill does not seem like a communist take over, and if anyone is that ideological that they think any government run plan is socialistic then I have a question for them. Would you step up to the plate, do the right thing for the freedom of America and help stop a communist take over of the USA and write a letter to the government refusing to take Social Security payments or if they refuse, commit to donate all your soc. sec. payments to a conservative cause. The reason I say this is that Social Security really is a socialistic law, and yet I see all these people at rallies gladly taking their benefits so they can go to rallies while others are at work.
Reply to this comment
by alanrobisch November 6, 2009 4:19 PM EST
I think you miss the point this is a direct takeover over about 1/6 the economy and it will not lower the costs. I suspect this bill will not become law because between conservative democrats and republicans the bill will be fillibustered and no plan will pass. Democrats are while not expressly they are for complete government control over health care. The public option is the beginning of this takeover. I do not believe it would help our country to do this. I believe incremental changes are better.
by goyo88 November 6, 2009 5:08 PM EST
Social Security was forced on us the same way they are trying to force health care on us. Leave my money alone and let me invest it the way I want to (or the way congress is allowed to inves their money and opt out of the Social Security system). If government run health care is as "successful" as Social Security, God help us.
by reveal4 November 6, 2009 5:29 PM EST
Reform isn't anything like a takeover. Not even close. The CBO says it will lower costs. Those who push the same old tired conservative line of a government takeover just don't know the difference. 2% of the people will be coverec by the public option. These folks are primarily the folks who insurance companies won't cover, or drop, or exorbitantly charge. The other option is to let these folks suffer and die. So many do not care if these folks suffer and die. Most do care. CNN polling shows only 15% of Americans do not want any health reform. 15%...the 15%'ers do not want any reform, that's it. Most folks care about the suffering and dying of the uninsured and poorer Americans.
by askagain November 6, 2009 4:00 PM EST
How many companies have to offer 50 or more variations of a product to market all across America. Does Ford or GM have to produce 50 variations of each model it makes? Interesting, several states do require modifications to automobiles if they are going to be marketed in those states. When we buy coca cola, aren't we buying the same coca cola throughout the United States. Perhaps that is a bad example because there are so many plants around the United States and formulas could vary. But you get the idea. Having 50 insurance commissioners and policies that vary by states must drive up the cost of insurance. When I was in the insurance business over 20 years ago, I could be licensed in different states. Each state had its own insurance mandates which meant that the policy I could offer in one state was different than the next state.
Reply to this comment
by lb2258 November 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST
WHy cant the congress, senate and whitehouse enroll in this new plan for a year then come back and tell us how great it is
Reply to this comment
by reveal4 November 6, 2009 3:28 PM EST
In the house bill, the public option will only cover 2% of Americans. the other 98% of insured will have private health insurance, Congress members buy private insurance on a type of insurance exchange. Insurance exchanges will....will...will be available for all Americans. just like Congress members, if reform passes.
by velma179 November 6, 2009 3:28 PM EST
by lb2258 November 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST
WHy cant the congress, senate and whitehouse enroll in this new plan for a year then come back and tell us how great it is


**********

Why?

Well, for one because the entire premise of your question is incorrect.

There is no ONE "new plan".

And Congress as well as all federal employees already have a SYSTEM like many Americans will be able to participate in when the legislation is enacted -- this is the Health Insurance Exchange, a marketplace for comparative insurance shopping. Within this Exchange, a public option will be offered... but not to everybody, only to those without employer sponsored insurance.

---

Really folks. Please get some information about this legislation from several sources. Try to get the facts.
You will understand that this legislation is offered for your benefit. Period.
by pandamonium6 November 6, 2009 2:15 PM EST
Republican argument: "I think we should dump Medicare and Medicaid now! Let every person take care of themselves. If you fail to plan, work hard or get sick, too bad. Why should I care if my neighbor needs help? Why should I help old people live longer - thier long lives only costs me more. I work hard for my money and I deserve to keep it."

Democrat argument: Let's all work together to ensure the the playing field is fair for all concerned. Let's give everyone the opportunity to buy insurance at a rate we can all aford. Let's take care of those people in our society who have taken care of us in the past and need our help now. Socialist? Maybe...but it is still the right thing to do.

Call your representative and let them know that you want them to do the right thing now!
Reply to this comment
by velma179 November 6, 2009 2:23 PM EST
My representative is on board to pass this legislation.

She will have my vote again in 2010!
by Dont_Tread_on_me November 6, 2009 2:38 PM EST
Can we also buy insurance across state lines?
by pandamonium6 November 6, 2009 3:23 PM EST
If we have a national option, would that not be the same as buying across state lines? As for buying private insurance across state lines - sure. As long as the private companies agree to abide by a standard set of rules that are consistant nation wide.
by ajvw November 6, 2009 2:11 PM EST
House Health Care Vote Could Be Delayed

need a little time for a little more arm twisting / bribery
Reply to this comment
by erich_1-2009 November 6, 2009 1:17 PM EST
The Democrats have been playing partisan politics for too long. They need to include Moderate Democrats and at least some Republicans in the discussion.
The current Bill is too far to the Left, especially considering the 10.2% unemployment rate.
The last Stimulus Package was a government nightmare that did not solve the problem of the economy and unemployment. We need to create jobs in the private sector. This Bill does nothing to help the problems of the Health Industry either.
Reply to this comment
by jimbom121 November 6, 2009 2:00 PM EST
Some Republicans?? Who, the Republicans have said all along they do not want healtncare reform. The moderate dems have been included from the beginning.
by reveal4 November 6, 2009 2:06 PM EST
Healthcare reform is a moderate bill. It's not even close to being a liberal bill. Healthcare reform will also decrease the National deficit. In other words, reform will save Americans money for other needed things. The reform bill will create jobs as more people train to take care of the millions more who will be insured. Private sector health insurance companies will also need to significantly increase staff to deal with the 10's of millions more Americans who will be insured. The stimulus program did, in fact, stimulate the economy and produced 3.5% growth last quarter. The folks on the right are just uninformed and are fighting for the best interests of the 5% of Americans who own 95% of the money.
by makemyday2day November 6, 2009 6:18 PM EST
reveal4 - PLEASE do tell me: how will this REDUCE the national deficit?! If you're INCREASING staff, INCREASING jobs to cover the MILLIONS more who will be covered, WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS??!! Need a hint? HIGHER taxes for ALL! Geez, doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize you CAN'T get more without PAYING more!
by Virgil-1 November 6, 2009 12:59 PM EST
Medicare and medicade is just another insurance fraud established by
a forever growing socialist government.
Reply to this comment
by kevjustice November 6, 2009 1:30 PM EST
RED SCARE ALERT!!!
by smac761 November 6, 2009 12:52 PM EST
This Bill HR3962 in all its glory solves 0 problems, creates a multitude. IF passed, this will infect the citizens of this country at a rate of 100%. Wake up and see this as the Power Grab it is. Costs will increase, quality will suffer, health care providers will cease practicing medicine andd worse of all the special interest that cooperate will prosper. Call your Congress today- tell them to vote NO on this disaster.
Reply to this comment
by justsane-2009 November 6, 2009 1:14 PM EST
what are you smokin'?
by velma179 November 6, 2009 2:09 PM EST
And .. The Martians are coming, the Martians are coming.....

Ahhhhhhhhhh
by amurguz November 6, 2009 2:31 PM EST
What quality of health care are you talking about? There hasn't been "quality" health care in a generation; at least! I agree with justsane-2009, "what ARE you smoking?"
by mooksie1 November 6, 2009 12:44 PM EST
I think Pelosi is afflicted with a tad of wishful-think-initis. She does not have the 218 votes needed in the House to pass the bill. And she is very well aware of it. I think she lost a few more after Tuesday's GOP victory in New Jersey and Virginia. Also, the tea partying crowd was out in force again on Tursday. Their voices are being heard and will have an effect on the outcome of this health care bill. Thank God for free speech instead of secret Chicago thuggery style back-room deals like Pelosi's and Obama's.
Reply to this comment
by dumpDCToday November 6, 2009 12:41 PM EST
Since seniors are against the rest of us getting single payer health care such as medicare and medicade the answer is quite simple. End medicare and medicade - then all the people will be on the same page and will get single payer health care passed.
Reply to this comment
by November 6, 2009 1:24 PM EST
CORRECTION: Not everyone will be on the same plan. Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the scumbags in Washington will not be in the same plan.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are all Government corrupt and bankrupt programs. But you are happy with them taking over healthcare and forcing everyone including you. (except them, Obama and his cronies) to be under the Government controlled plan. You must be a liberal, all you want is the Government to give you a handout and tax the hard working middle class.
by reveal4 November 6, 2009 1:57 PM EST
Reform will not force anybody into tne public option. The public option in the House bill will cover 2% of the most high cost, at risk folks. the disinclusion of these folks in private plans will, according to the CBO, lower premium costs for everyone else. The public option will also be slightly more expensive than private insurance, a disincentive for folks to join the public plan. The CBO says the inclusion of the public health insurance option for about 2% of Americans will lower costs for the other 98% of Americans. I'm not a right winger, I'm gonna advocate for myself and not for the fat cat Wall Street boys, and the fat cat CEO's and the fat cat businesses which own and control 95 of every 100 dollars in America. I'm gonna advocate for the other 95% of Americans who are fighting for the scraps.
by Landon111 November 7, 2009 12:12 AM EST
Unfortunately history prepares us to watch that 2% grow over the years as benefits are extended to more and more of the population. Most pyramid schemes designed by the government move in this direction, Fannie Mae anyone?
by November 6, 2009 12:37 PM EST
The Republicans cannot stop them from passing it. Why are they delaying the vote? The Socialist Democrats have a majority? Are they afraid of the political consequences in 2010 and beyond? Are they running scared of the Tea Party and of what happened in New Jersey and Virginia?
Reply to this comment
by KJV_1611 November 6, 2009 1:24 PM EST
you are correct, the repubs cannot stop them, yet they have failed to get this done, hmm. can't even convince your own people Ms. Pelosi???
by velma179 November 6, 2009 2:18 PM EST
Please.

The Democrats are a coalition party. Among their ranks -- and in the entire caucus -- are liberals, moderates, conservatives... even Independents and one declared Socialist (Sanders).

Getting folks with these differing points of view to debate and come to consensus on legislation is what [all of] Congress should be doing -- unfortunately the Republicans have decided they don't want to play at all, if they can't call the game plan.

This ridiculous idea that Democrats are all of one lockstep "mind" is a smoke screen meant to hide the willful obstruction to doing the people's business so apparent in what the Republican Congress members have said, their own words... not conjecture.


By the way ... ALL elected officials are obsessed by the political consequences of upcoming elections -- that's why we find it difficult to really respect ANY of them ... all parties and ideologies included.
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