Obama sets stage for using budget maneuver to pass health reform

[babylonsister]

Obama sets stage for using budget maneuver to pass health reform
By Sam Youngman - 09/10/09 05:19 PM ET


President Barack Obama this week has been laying the foundation for Senate Democrats to use a controversial budget maneuver to pass healthcare reform.

By offering Republicans olive branches during his address to Congress on Wednesday, Obama has set up a win-win situation. If GOP lawmakers embrace compromise, a healthcare bill would pass Congress easily. But the more likely scenario is that Republicans will continue to oppose Obama’s plan, and the president later this fall will be able to note he tried to strike a deal with the GOP but could not.

That will set up a Democratic argument that Senate leaders have been forced to use a partisan budget tool known as reconciliation to pass a health bill through the Senate by a simple majority, instead of 60 votes. Under the budget plan they passed earlier this year, Democrats could invoke the reconciliation process on Oct. 15.

Republicans contend that the use of reconciliation would be at odds with Obama’s call for bipartisanship during his 2008 presidential campaign. But Obama has countered that argument in recent days by forcefully resurrecting the anti-Washington rhetoric that got him elected.

In Cincinnati on Monday, Obama blamed the "usual bickering in Washington" for the "funk" supporters of healthcare reform were enduring. And in a discussion with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday, Obama said "there are a lot of politicians like that who, all they're thinking about is just, ‘How do I get reelected?’ and so they never actually get anything done."

Then on Wednesday night, Obama sought to portray his health reform plan as one that contains both Republican and Democratic ideas.

"The time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed," Obama said. "Now is the season for action."

Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-S.C.) outburst on Wednesday was an unexpected gift to the White House, accentuating Obama’s point that bitter politics is getting in the way of improving the healthcare of Americans.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/58233-obama-sets-stage-for-using-budget-maneuver-to-pass-health-reform

[emulatorloo]

1. EXCELLENT - recommending n/t

[Parker CA]

2. This sounds good, but I've heard too many contradicting opinions on what is achievable under

reconciliation, that I'm not sure what will still be on the table and possible should this maneuver be pursued.

Anyone have definitive rules or laws that outline what aspects of health care, especially of a PO would be allowed via this route?

[babylonsister]

3. Google republicans and reconciliation. They've used it with great

success. It's our turn now.

[Parker CA]

6. I realize it has been used and we're more than within our right to use it, I am just not clear on

whether or not the process would allow for a very thorough PO health care bill. Too many days run together, but there have been some people on MSNBC who have said achieving the PO would be much more difficult with reconciliation.

[ProSense]

5. Here:

On May 1, Congress passed President Obama’s budget, which included language allowing for the use of the budget reconciliation process to pass health care reform with a simple majority in the Senate.

[Parker CA]

7. Thanks for the links and info!

[Clio the Leo]

10. And here is the actual text from the budget....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8629168

You'll notice that it sounds like it was almost pulled from an Obama speech (as far as what it will cover.)

This is Barack Obama's budget ....... he put it there for a reason. ;)

All of this hand wringing we've been doing for months .... must surely seem funny to the WH. They've known how this would go down since last the winter.

Rahm said it WAY back when, "we dont have to BE bipartisan, we just have to LOOK that way."

The whole thing has been a set up ........ it's a thing of beauty to behold.

[bain_sidhe]

8. Actually, TPM speculated that the PO would have to be STRONGER

to make it through the reconcilliation process. Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants for the Grand Obstructionist Party?

Hang on while I search for the link...

Ok, I'm back:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/going-it-alone-on-health-care-dems-face-tug-of-war-over-public-option.php

snippet...

According to Martin Paone, a legislative expert who's helping Democrats map out strategy, a more robust public option--one that sets low prices, and provides cheap, subsidized insurance to low- and middle-class consumers--would have an easier time surviving the procedural demands of the so-called reconciliation process. However, he cautions that the cost of subsidies "will have to be offset and if loses money beyond 2014...it will have to be sunsetted."

And there the irony continues: Some experts, including on Capitol Hill, believe that a more robust public option will generate crucial savings needed to keep health care reform in the black--and thus prevent it from expiring. But though that may solve the procedural problems, conservative Democrats have balked at the idea creating such a momentous government program, and if they defected in great numbers, they could imperil the entire reform package

It's a very technical conundrum with huge policy ramifications. So it's not surprising that Republicans are on to it, and preparing for war.

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)--ranking member on the Budget Committee--says the only way for the public option to survive the process is for it to be "very aggressive in setting rates, price controls and rationing," a fact which may cost Democrats a number of conservative votes within their own party. However, if it's too weak, and doesn't meet the procedural demands of the reconciliation process, Gregg says the Republicans are preparing myriad objections to it and other aspects of the Democrats' reform plan.

[bain_sidhe]

4. It's NOT "CONTROVERSIAL"

Publicans used it ALL THE TIME. And it's not "partisan" unles the parties make it so - which the Pubs did ALL THE TIME during bushit's "rain of terror" on the middle class... oops, I meant "trickle-down" tax cuts for the wealthy paid for with budget cuts in every program that helped the middle/working class.

[bluestateguy]

9. When they finally decide to pull the trigger on reconciliation, a new speech may be needed

Perhaps a speech surrounded by uninsured/underinsured Americans, somewhere in Middle America (Missouri?) articulating why we have to do this. That as hard as we tried for bipartisanship, which would have been nice, changing the policy is far more important, and the other side was simply not willing to work in good faith.

At the end of the day, an uninsured/underinsured American could really care less about the intricacies of the legislative process, but rather, cares much more about the policy that emerges from that process.

I don't see how you get a public option without reconciliation.

[Clio the Leo]

11. I fully expect an Oval Office address when the bill is passed. NT

[Cha]

12. Thanks for the link

babylonsister.

[TomCADem]

13. All We Need Are Some Protestors To Go Over The Top Again...

and the media to show just how crazy they are, and it will show that these folks just aren't interested in any solution.