Democrat says health overhaul needs GOP to pass

[and-justice-for-all]

What the hell is this shit?
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Sun Jul 26, 8:23 pm ET

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....

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

[babylonsister]

1. I've read it a gazillion times. That's the media. Too much going on

for 'the media' to wrap their puny heads around. Or not enough, so they make shit up.

[and-justice-for-all]

3. I am pretty confident that repukes are not needed at all...

I saw this when I went to check my Yahoo! mail and was taken aback by it...

[Skink]

2. workin all night again i see?

For 6.00 an hour. That's 48 a shift and a bus ride home if they can get it.

[xchrom]

4. democras need democrats to pass health care 'reform'. nt

[smalll]

5. Well, in the Senate, we do need the Repubs, see, we only have just 60 seats there now --

if any one of those votes defects, we can't defeat a filibuster. Really, we need at least 65 seats in the Senate to be able to pass anything. Optimally, 70. Maybe we'll get there in 2010. Something to shoot for!

;)

[MarjorieG]

6. Maybe meant out of committee?

[TomCADem]

7. So, did anyone ask him whether he is saying that the GOP can veto reform?

Because if the passage of healthcare reform depends not on the soundness of the policy, but on the acquience of the opposition, then we are hosed waiting for Demint to find religion, and actually care about his constituents.

[SPedigrees]

8. I'd have to agree with Rahm Emanuel. "We don't need no stinkin republican votes." nt

[OHdem10]

9. Early, there were reports that the Democrats want Republicans

simply out of fear. Come on Democrats pass a bill. The GOP
has had any number of opportunities. They simply do not
believe in Health Care that is any way attached to the Government.
No, not even Medicare. They have taken every opportunity
to gut it. If the American People could see what Medicare
once provided and now--they would be shocked.

You have to keep an eye on some Democrats. I keep hearing comments
on TV that Obama wants to see how much more he can squeeze out
of Medicare. Too bad we never hear refutation of these comments.

I digress. If the Democrats get a bill that has a public
option, it will not fail.

In other words, I do not believe many of us believe you have
to have GOP or you cannot pass a bill. If the truth is you
cannot get enough Democrats to pass a bill, shame on you.

Just say, it is better at this time to stop on Health Care.
At least stop with Honor and admit this was never about Health
Care. It was an effort to appease the Elites , reform Medicare
and Medicaid in such a way that the Elites are not paying taxes
for the futire. In other words. the beginning of the end of
Entitlement Programs. After all the Mantra of the Elite is
the Entitlement Programs are killing us. Was it really ever
about Health Care????