A side note about health care / insurance reform time lines.

[pinto]

Even if the Senate and House finalized their bills *today*, crafted a joint bill to send to the President *tomorrow*, and he signed it on *Monday*, nothing would take effect until 2010 at the earliest. And full implementation would likely take a good bit longer.

I understand the frustration at Reid and the Senate putting off completion until after the recess, especially in light of the yeoman work being done in the House.

The Republicans may see delay as some sort of victory, so they can continue with their anti-reform propaganda, but I think that view is short sighted in the reality of the thing on the ground.

Blue Dog Democrats may be looking to buy time to make their case. They may be looking to build some support for a more limited reform package than is being considered. Yet I think the home front, when they go on recess, may well tell them a different tale.

Constituents everywhere want affordable health care coverage, equal access to effective health care and some clear plan to make it happen as soon as is realistically possible.

The recess may well be an opportunity, mentioned by other DUers here, for constituents - the people who elected them - to lobby their Senators and Representatives *outside the DC echo chamber*.

[mdavies013]

1. I say...lets roll.

[pinto]

2. Yeah, we need to go for it.

Yet the recess is a minor point, in my humble opinion. :hi: