CBO Score On Health Care Bill Released: Boosts Democrats' Hopes Of Passing Reform

[Joanne98]

Comprehensive health care reform will cost the federal government $940 billion over a ten-year period, but will increase revenue and cut other costs by a greater amount, leading to a reduction of $130 billion in the federal deficit over the same period, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, a Democratic source tells HuffPost. It will cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the next ten years.

The source said it also extends Medicare's solvency by at least 9 years and reduces the rate of its growth by 1.4 percent, while closing the doughnut hole for seniors, meaning there will no longer be a gap in coverage of medication. The CBO also estimated it would extend coverage to 32 million additional people.

The CBO score is the last piece Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was waiting on before putting the puzzle together on the House floor. A contingent of Blue Dogs has been holding out support, insisting that the bill be fully paid for and not increase the deficit. The numbers give a major boost to Pelosi and her leadership team, which can now begin the whip count in earnest and can specifically point to the cost savings.

With the CBO score released, the Democratic whip team has a specific, thoroughly-analyzed bill to show to undeclared members who can no longer claim they are "waiting to see the language." Pelosi has very little room for error and needs to move nearly every undecided voter to a solid yes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/18/cbo-score-on-health-care_n_502543.html

[kenny blankenship]

1. It's done!

[pampango]

2. Don't count the republicans out until Boehner sings (the blues)!

:)

[FourScore]

3. lNow let's it passed before the Senate recess! n/t

[harun]

4. I can't decide if I am happier about how pissed Republicans will be

once this passes or about how this is a real first step in getting real reform.

Considering we haven't even had a step towards reform in about 50 years.

[Kingofalldems]

5. Oh no! a DUer claimed last night 'it must be bad' re the then unreleased CBO report

I guess he was wrong.

[mmonk]

6. The CBO. Only sparingly used and for domestic public spending.

Tell them to score HR 676. They won't because they know how it would fair better.

[berni_mccoy]

7. Looks like a Sunday vote.

[NJmaverick]

8. I can't see a single reason for a Dem to oppose the bill now

ignore the idiot republicans that are trying to scare the Dems and let's get this done.

[Kingofalldems]

9. Kick this big time