Senate Democrats Preserve Essence of Health Proposal

[Elmore Furth]

These people seem serious. Damn, we may yet get a healthcare bill out of the Congress. Just remember, the Bush tax cut cost 2.5 times as Obama healthcare bill. And the 2008 cut was passed with a 51-50 vote under budget reconciliation. So don't cry crocodile tears about bipartisanship -- these are the same rules the Republicans shoved crap down our throats with.

Published: September 25, 2009

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Friday preserved the guts of their proposal to reinvent the health care system, but Republicans scored political points on several issues, like the effects of the bill on older Americans.

More Health Care Overhaul News The Democrats beat back Republican attacks on the legislation as the Senate Finance Committee deferred some of the most contentious issues to next week.

By a vote of 14 to 9, the committee rejected an amendment by Senator Jon Kyl, Republican of Arizona, that would have prohibited the federal government from defining the specific health benefits that insurers must offer. The government would prescribe a minimum package of benefits under all health bills pending in Congress.

When the Finance Committee resumes work next week, it will tackle dozens of proposed amendments.

Democrats Preserve Essence of Health Proposal