Will the House be able to materially change Senate bill, or accept it relatively unchanged?

[IndianaGreen]

A material change is a change that is significant and substantial. Ben Nelson said during his press conference that he would filibuster if material changes are made to the Senate version, specifically the changes that he got from Reid. Nelson also said that the conference with the House, changes would be very limited.

Joe Lieberman has held fast (so far) to filibustering the final bill if it contain a public option or Medicare buy-in.

The House progressive caucus has indicated that they will fight for the public option.

Several abortion rights groups are vowing to fight any attempt to keep anti-abortion language in final bill.

AFL-CIO has expressed its preference for the House bill and, together with SEIU, have said they want the House to change the most onerous features of Senate bill.

Keeping all of this in mind, in your view (regardless of what you think of the Senate bill), will the House be able to materially change the Senate bill, or will it accept it relatively unchanged?

[debbierlus]

1. We need to CALL Congress and especially the progressive Dems EVEN if you think it is beyond hope

Call anyway. They need to hear from us now more then ever. You have to call your representative and tell them what you expect. AND, you have to contact Pelosi and the Progressive Caucus and tell them that you EXPECT substantial changes to to the bill.

People give up before these fights end and they cease their phone calls and ease of the pressure.

Shut down the switchboards.

[IndianaGreen]

2. The House is the last line of defence against this middle class tax increase

and health industry bailout.

However, there has been a lot of snippets in the internet about the leadership ramming the Senate bill down the House's throat without having to follow the normal conference procedures.

I will call my congressperson, a good guy!

[billyoc]

5. Oh, come now, you make it sound like those are the only two things in the bill!

Don't forget about the abortion ban.


:hide:

[IndianaGreen]

7. The problem is that both the House and the Senate's bill have abortion bans

the only difference is in degrees. This guarantees that abortion language of some sort will survive. Pelosi should have never agreed to Stupak language!

[Cant trust em]

3. There will be a few tinkerings to nudge it to the left.

Nothing substantial. Certainly no public option will be offered.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. I assume if they just make small incremental changes that doesn't count...

There will be changes to the bill, but my eye is not calibrated to read materially as seen through your eyes.

[SpartanDem]

6. I guess it depends what you mean by materially

a public option or buy in that won't happen. But stonger regulations, better exchanges, narrower the age rating band, stronger caps and susides are IMO material things that can realistically taken be from the house bill while still passing the Senate.

[Blasphemer]

8. It is crystal clear that the Senate bill = the final bill. They cut all necessary deals. nt

[Duke Newcombe]

9. This is one vote I'd hate to be right about..

...but the soulless corporate hacks and so-called Democrats will sell us out in exchange for goodies from their insurance company overlords...again.

[Umbral]

10. The Dems, especially the Senate Dems, have chosen to reap the whirlwind. nt