Not Over Yet: Senate Must Finalize Health Care

[jefferson_dem]

Not Over Yet: Senate Must Finalize Health Care
Christina Bellantoni | March 22, 2010, 8:00AM

So, what's next?

House Democrats celebrated a major victory late last night after they passed a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system while simultaneously approving a package of fixes to the measure. But it's not the law of the land, not yet. What happens next is both simple in that there's one major vote left. But it's a bit complicated, since President Obama actually will sign one bill and then wait for the Senate to pass the other.

Come along and I'll explain.

The House approved the Senate bill last night, warts and all. Those warts - a tax on high-end insurance plans, several special deals made for members of the Senate on Medicaid and abortion language that pro-life Democrats in the House weren't comfortable with - are removed through a budget reconciliation measure. That plan - which also passed the House last night - was the product of careful negotiations between the House, Senate and Obama administration and had the blessing of labor unions and many health care advocacy and interest groups. It also contained reforms to the student loan system.

Here's where it gets tricky. Obama on Tuesday will sign the Senate-passed bill, clearing the way procedurally for Senators to begin debate on the reconciliation fix. The whole thing made House Democrats very nervous since that meant trusting the Senate would actually fix the bits they didn't like. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid showed House Democrats a letter signed by members of his caucus proving they had the votes to pass the reconciliation measure on an up-or-down vote. That paved the way for Sunday night's House victory. Still with me?

The Senate parliamentary rules are that a reconciliation measure cannot be considered unless it is actually reconciling existing law. So Obama has to sign the bill before debate can start in the upper chamber. Senators have indicated they will start debate right after Obama signs the measure, and House Democrats said Sunday night they think the matter can be wrapped up within the week.

But the Senate is the Senate, and is usually about as fast as molasses. Reconciliation rules do limit the time for debate and prevent the type of filibuster that's become standard GOP practice over the last year, but it may be optimistic to think things will move along at a speedy pace. We're not sure yet.

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/not-over-yet-senate-must-finalize-health-care.php?ref=fpa

[HughMoran]

1. I wonder if the Republicans, having already failed miserably in their fear campaign,

will want to further tarnish their image by trying to prevent the Dems from passing 'fixes' that even they would agree with (if they weren't in permanent 'ass hole' mode.)

[karynnj]

2. Technically, she is wrong that it is not law until the Senate votes

The fact is it IS law as soon as the President signs it. It is not in our interest to deny that.

We can make the reconciliation bill easier if we frame it as what it structurally really is - a separate bill. It easily stands on its own merits. Frame it that voting against it is voting against increasing the deficit reducing power and lowering costs and getting rid of all the deals that the Republicans demonized. This SHOULD be made into a tough vote for them. It does not pass HCR, that's already passed - it is a set of likely very popular changes to the bill just passed.

In addition, this does something else. It means the Democrats did not do anything unusual to pass the main bill - it got 60 votes in the Senate and a majority in the House. This defuses there view that we cheated or did anything unfair. As to the second bill, it would be fantastic if a few Republicans realized that obstructing was counterproductive and voted for the package that only needs 50 votes.

[harun]

3. It is saying Senate can only reconcile existing law, which once pres

signs it, it will be.

[karynnj]

6. I agree she said that, but the earlier paragraphs suggest that it is not a done deal

I likely should have said I disliked the emphasis. Clearly I agree that the reconciliation has to be - and will be done, but the fact is the humongous hurdle has been scaled. We have a passed bill that has many many reforms - and they will soon be improved by a second bill that SHOULD be bipartisan, but wasn't in the House.

[high density]

4. The House and the Senate have passed the same bill

It will be law when Obama signs it. Reid says he has the votes for the reconciliation bill that the House passed last night. I don't see how this is tricky at all.

[DCBob]

5. The real issue is whether the GOP can make the case there is something amiss with the recon bill..

Like some unintentional effect on social security. The parliamentarian will play a huge role in this because it will be his judgment whether the GOP complaints are valid or not.

[karynnj]

7. An ace in the hole might be that if the Republicans fight this - they are

fighting to preserve the Cornhusker deal.

[DCBob]

9. Maybe, but I think they are in full destruct mode... they don't care about the details..

They just want to cause chaos to the Dems and Obama and the best way to do that is to stop/delay the recon bill.

[karynnj]

10. I think you are clearly right - especially in the final hours yesterday

I am hoping some calmer minds prevail before the Senate takes it up - but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

[DCBob]

11. Hope so too.. but I have my doubts with this bunch.

They are behaving like lunatics.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. What are the Repubs going to fight against now?

Legislation that fixes some of the more egregious problems with the Senate bill, some of which they used to rail against the legislation themselves?

:wtf:

They lost. Comprehensive HCR (even if not in the best possible form at the moment) is the law of the land NOW. They need to get over themselves and go back to their padded rooms.

:nopity: