Dems Confident Health Care Will Pass

But Some in House Suspicious That Senate Will Not Pull Through; White House Says Public Support Is on Rise

(CBS)  The year-long battle to dramatically change the nation's ailing health care system may be coming to an end. House and Senate Democratic leaders are confident they are very close to passing health care reform.

CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid reports that Democrats seem to think they are closer than they've ever been and are confident it is going to pass in the next couple of weeks.

But one thing House Democrats are really worried about, says Reid, is that they will pass the bill, be out there with what to some is a politically unpopular vote, and then the Senate will fail to pass it.

When asked this morning on "The Saturday Early Show" if he believes the Senate is trustworthy, Rep. Anthony Wiener, D-N.Y., said that in the past the House has passed bills which the Senate has "let die" 290 times.

"There have been many cases where it's been problematic, sometimes because of their rules or they're just institutionally that way," Weiner said. "But 'fool me once, shame on me; fool me 290 times, shame on us.'"

So the Senate will have to provide real assurances - as Reid points out, "sign in blood that they are going to pass this thing."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care
Administration Continues Attack on Health Insurers

But by using the reconciliation process, which eliminates the possibility of delays from a Republican filibuster and requires a simple 51 vote majority to pass, Democrats believe that they can win passage and get the bill to the president's desk in about two weeks.

They may have a majority in both Congressional houses, but Reid says Democrats are "incredibly nervous.

"They are quivering in their boots," he said. "But what the White House is doing now is trying to calm them in two ways: Number one, saying you're better off passing something than nothing. If you go home and say we simply failed that is the worst thing you can do. Also the White House is circulating polls on Capitol Hill that show that instead of this being unpopular, now finally it's about even, that the support for health care reform is on the rise."

It now appears likely the House will vote on the Senate's version of the health care bill late next week . . . so late, in fact, that President Obama will delay his upcoming trip to Asia in order to help push for the necessary votes here at home.

"This came about as a result of a conversation that the president had with Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid," White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday. "All three agreed it would be helpful to have a few extra days here."

House Democrats hope to vote on the Senate's version of the bill by next Saturday, followed by a reconciliation bill that makes changes, and that can be passed by the Senate with only 51 votes instead of 60.

Among the thorniest issues: Funding for insurance that would pay for abortions.

"Catholic bishops stand very much against this language, and I stand with them," said Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.

Still, Democrats are feeling more confident they can get the bill through.

"It won't be long before we'll be making a real difference in the lives of the American people," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Passage may also make a difference for Democrats come November.

"It's important to pass healthcare because the president and the Democratic Party need to show that they can do something, and the president has said his power and prestige is at stake here," said CBS News political consultant John Dickerson.

[arproqe]

Please provide your opinion on the following:

Objective: To assess the impact on Health Care if upon implementation of the current bill. (1) Constitutionality

Rationing medical care:
-impact: _______________________?
-effect: ________________________?

Costs vs. Patient control of medical decisions:
-impact:_______________________?
-effect: ________________________?

Increase in size and scope of government's power
-impact:_______________________?
-effect: ________________________?

Costs and Rationing
-impact:_______________________?
-effect: ________________________?

(1)
Constitutionality of Democratic plans: metamorphosis of the Constitution without consideration or proofs for the provisions developed by the creators:

[wxwizard1]

Here's an idea...

Since the republicans don't want anything to do with any idea that is put forth by the democrats (it is a matter of republican principal and pride), then why don't we just divide the country into two. We can have the Blue USA and the Red USA. The Blue USA can use their collective tax money for things like health care and education and the Red USA can give all their money to big corporations instead of to taxes.

There's no need to rip each other apart over our preferences. No need to fight tooth and nail to force the other side to comply. Simply make a choice on what side you prefer and have at it. Then we can all sit back and watch what happens to the other side after 10 or 20 years. It'll be FUN.

Who's with me!

[noloyalisti]

Unfortunately cesspool, the American Sheeple have decided to keep letting the rich anf big, greedy corporations own and run EVERYTHING. You have a bunch of Tea Baggers running around complaining about taxes WHEN THEY JUST GOT AS TAX CUT. And arguing to give even more money to the rich and big corporations. So I think we have a severe mental problem. And I blame organized religion and fascist corporations with their endless money.

[cleantheDCcesspool]

Obama said the "stimulus" bill would stop unemplyment at 8%. He said it would create millions of jobs. Last summer and fall he kept running out big numbers of jobs "created or saved", some of which were in non-existent congressional districts. During his campaign he said the middle class would not see any new taxes, and within a month of taking office he raised tobacco taxes. And some of you still believe his falsehoods? How can you trust or believe a single word Obama says? In fact, you should pretty much figure that the exact opposite of what he says, is going to happen. Under this bill illegals will get health care paid for by you; health care will be rationed; you will pay for others' abortions; it will cost $1,000,000,000,000 in the first decade.
And why the urgency? So we don't figure these things out before it passes?

[skyk-2009]

cleantheDCcesspool, The Republiklans said they could give HUGH tax cuts to the rich, pay for two wars, an Education Program, a Senior Drug Benefit, and still balance the Budget. The President was off by under 2 points. The Republiklans? Well they were so Incompetent we ended up in a COMPLETE Economic Meltdown which CAUSE the stimulus and promise to be made on Jobs. You do NOT have to be super smart to figure which is the best option now do you?? ROFLMAO

Why is most of the news coverage slanted in favor of passing the oppressive health care reform when the American people time and time again have tried to rally against it's passage. And, why does President Obama and Congress feel that they have the right to pass legislation mandating individual health coverage. Everything that I have read leads me to understand that mandated coverage, such as this, is unconstitutional.

[velma179]

Then you haven't read any objective commentary on the Constitutional aspect.

There is the possibility of a challenge due to the lack of precedence, only, but most scholars say it is very unlikely that the insurance mandate will be declared un-Constitutional. Many say it would never even get on the SCOTUS docket... but since this Supreme Court is comprised of Conservative activist judges, it might.

We will see.

[riptide213]

Once upon a time in a once noble country not very far away there was high anticipation and stirring dreams believed by so many beleaguered citizens for a rare, elusive honest fulfillment of genuine political dynamism.

Discouragingly authentic hope and comprehensible change has now deflated to hopelessness and no change apathy.

A vivid political fresh thinking oasis chosen by the people emerged in Washington.

Shockingly the promise of discernible positive endeavors turns out to really only a dubious whimsical mirage bolstered by lots of hot air double talk creating mere vapors of reliance that tantalizingly shimmered with a glint of new potential.

Optimism has turned into reality.

Sleight of hand political lobbyist trickery and old fashioned pork barrel treachery is just the way it is no matter what fancy livery you dress it up in.

Sadly we must endure just another choreographed political chapter in a badly scripted, never ending public tax payer tormenting fairy tale.

There is no happy ending.

[Empire-George-]

Everyone, please vote for a Veteran's (4 wars) grandkid's race car.....just click and vote....thanks a lot.

http://www.sponsafier.com/#/gallery/view/165560

[run2jazz2]

Chicken Little is a Republican! I figured that as soon and the Democrats have a majority would they start with the sob story of now being the minority that the President and Democrats are trying to "Hi-jack" the country.

Enough, pass the legislation and either it will sink or swim. Republicans have passed many when they had the majority so let them be frustrated.

[tracey48]

no dont vote for this health care reform--we don't need government control

Hi-jack is a pretty mild term for the outlandish acts of President Obama and the Democrats. Mandated health coverage, from everything that I have read, will not pass the constitutionality test.

[noloyalisti]

I thought this was so good, it needed to be repeated. But the Republikkklan Party does not want the facts to get in the way of good story.

Six Republican ideas are already in the health-care reform bill. The first four come right from the GOP's "Solutions For America" website.

1. "Let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines." (Section 1333)

2. "Allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do." (Section 1312)

3. "Give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs." (Section 1302)

4. "End junk lawsuits." (Section 6801)

[thinking-hurts]

noloyalisti, I look at the H.R.3962 all 3 and could not find section 1333 at and have attache the headings for you to look at, you or anyone can go to www.Senate.gov

1 . Affordable Health Care for America Act (Introduced in House)[H.R.3962.IH][PDF]
2 . Affordable Health Care for America Act (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.R.3962.EH][PDF]
3 . Affordable Health Care for America Act (Placed on Calendar in Senate)[H.R.3962.PCS][PDF]

SEC. 1312. INDEPENDENCE AT HOME DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
SEC. 1302. MEDICAL HOME PILOT PROGRAM.

[lakota2012]

No wonder your "thinking-hurts", since what noloyalisti posted was of the Senate health care reform bill passed by a super majority, not HR 3962!

[cleric60]

Well, let it pass and the Congress of 2011 will reject it, revise it, or reform it. It's sad that our federal government is wasting some much time and money on a bill that will only divide our nation more between the haves and the haven'ts.