Gibbs: By Next Week Health Bill Will Pass

In the final crunch on health care reform legislation, there are serious questions for President Obama. Does he have the votes to pass it? If the legislation passes, who will be helped by it? And who will pay for it?

The White House and Democrats say they'll have the votes to pass health care toward the end of the week, though the Democratic vote counter, James Clyburn (D-S.C.), has said he doesn't yet have the votes to pass legislation.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs weighed in on the health care reform debate.

"As the Congressional Budget Office scores the rest of this bill, members of the House will get a closer look, and take a closer look at each of the provisions in it and make up their minds," said Mr. Gibbs. "We do believe that a week from today we'll be talking about a bill that has passed the house, not being considered by the House."

Gibbs added that he thought Members of the House would see that small businesses would be helped in buying insurance for their employees, and that families with worries of discrimination because of pre-existing conditions would no longer have to worry about those conditions.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

When asked about what would be in the final bill - would there be a Medicare payroll tax increase, would taxes on big insurance plans would rise, or would the "kickbacks" for Nebraska and Louisiana in the House bill remain - Gibbs had a simple answer:

"The special deals that the President found objectionable are indeed out of this legislation," said Gibbs. "We understand that the underlying legislation that the house will consider is the bill that passed the Senate in December with 60 votes, a super majority. So we understand the basis of what this bill is going to be."

He added, "I believe that people are going to look at this not because of what is politically right or wrong but what's the best thing to do for the American people. I think without a doubt, if we do nothing, we know what's going to happen: Our health insurance rates are going to skyrocket."

Gibbs also said that the House would not have to pass a bill that they didn't like.

"Just as the president is speaking with Members of the House about passing the underlying Senate bill, I know he's also talking to members of the Senate about making sure that the corrections that he believes have to be [attached] to the Senate bill are indeed taken up and passed," said Gibbs. "The president is working on both of those tracks in order to get that done."

He continued, "As Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi has said, this is the week. This is the week where we will have this important vote. The president has . . . a very important trip to Indonesia and Australia in a very vital part of the world. We need to get these corrections done before the Senate leaves the week after."

Finally, Gibbs said, "This time next week, [we] won't be talking about a proposal in the House. [We]'ll be talking about the House having passed that proposal and us being a signature away from health care reform in this country."

[tsigili]

We have heard that song and dance rather frequently, lately. Looks like the Dems are trying to convince themselves, even when they know, deep down, it isn't going to happen.

[Empire-George-]

Did he write it on his hand....."Next week, healthcare will pass"

Because I've heard that 20 times already...."we have the votes, we don't have the vote, we have the vote, we don't have the votes"

[RobAla]

I say "NO" to this corrupt bill filled with political favors, and "YES" to a real bipartisan effort on health care that addresses the problems specifically in smaller bills. But only after Americans have an opportunity to dump these corrupt politicians November 2010. I don't want any of the same corrupt jerks who formed this bad bill to attempt to fix anything. I simply don't trust them.

[wdh3007]

And by this November every demoncat in Congress will be out of a job and unemployed thanks to Obummer and people like spokesmouth Gibbs.

[macgerson]

And by next year the Republicans will be in the majority.

[ClashOfCultures]

Nooo, there are "only" about 40.000 people#s death each year because of having no Health Care.
That is not enough to ensure the Rep's - aka "The Party of Compassionat Conservatism's" win. "Sorry".

[SueZeeeQue]

Republicans have no interest in fixing our broken health care system.

Costs doubled on their watch and they did absolutely nothing about it.

In fact, Republicans have been fighting hard against sensible reform for decades.

Do you really think they care what happens to average Americans?

Do you?

[cawoodwilly]

Note to the Democrats,

Pass the health care bill or be voted out of office..

Get the picture?

Pass the health care bill or get a new job.

[RobAla]

Or; pass the health care bill, and be assured you will be voted out of office by independents who do not want it.

[kecc1]

I hope our representatives have the guts and strength to push back against the President and his mob. They shouldn't let this mammoth bill be rammed through. This bill should be broken up into manageable parts starting with insurance reform. Negotiate in the open what's in it and pass each segment as separate legislation (remember transparency?). The American people want our government to stop spending money it doesn't have and we don't want government bureaucrats to be involved in our health care.

[stychokiller]

[quote]Gibbs also said that the House would not have to pass a bill that they didn't like. [/quote]
When I parse this sentence, nowhere can I find that the American will like it!

[edgy44]

Bottom line, no one voted for Gibbs. He's a clerk. Believe him, or the tooth fairy, your choice.

[SueZeeeQue]

I'll believe him over you any day.