Reid: Dems Will Use 50-Vote Tactic to Finish Health Care

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Democrats will finish their health reform efforts within the next two months by using a majority-vote maneuver in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the Hill, 01/29/10. (photo: AP)

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+4 # Guest 2010-02-20 23:09

Well, hallelujah!!! It's about time the Dems woke up to the recalcitrant Reps. who do not want anything to pass Congress as long as Obama is the Pres. Now I'm sure the Reps are going to cry "Foul" because they weren't invited. Hey, they had their chance and they refused it. And Oh My--Like Bush didn't do the same thing for 8 looooong years ignoring the Dems completely? Give me a break!!!

+2 # Guest 2010-02-21 00:29

Using the reconciliation process is the LEAST the Democrats could do...and while they're at it, and it needn't take two months or so, they could simply take it from the top and implement universal single payer health care for everyone. No debate needed. No explanations necessary. Just do it already. We have seen no evidence that anything else works better so just do the right thing for a change come what may.

+2 # Guest 2010-02-21 06:19

WHAT???!! Harry Reid finally grew a SPINE? That's awfully hard to believe, considering his track record so far. Now, if we can only get the "Public Health Option" that the House approved back into the bill for reconciliation, I do believe the Dems might have a winner on their hands (in addition to driving the teabaggers even more crazy than they are already)!

+1 # Merschrod 2010-02-21 07:41

Ok, now we are talking courage. Amen on the reconciliation - what a chance to keep the single payer plan alive ; toss out the junk that extortionists (Maine and Nebraska) put in, and clean up that "Bi-partisan" mess.

Go for it Harry! Will Pelosi have the guts?

I hope that this will be a signature Democrat-only success. Let's stand alone and be judged by history.

Go team go!!!!

+1 # Guest 2010-02-21 08:55

Hopefully a step forward. This tactic should have been endorsed by Obama months ago as a process to follow when the minority party is blatantly obstructionist, having no realistic alternatives that promote anything other than elite corporate interests. I agree with Merschrod that Single-Payer should be back on the agenda. The fact that it isn't being discussed makes me question the courage behind Obama's convictions. Now maybe we'll get a chance to se what bill Obama really wants-- where he really positions himself in this debate.

+1 # Guest 2010-02-21 08:58

I'll believe it when I see it. Just got a bill from my health insurance. It was for a charge of $247 of which my insurance paid $46.57. This covered the whole amount. If I were poor and uninsured, I would owe $247. I owe nothing. My grandson isn't getting taken to the doctor for his cough because it costs @$500 every time he goes. We need universal health care with no taxation for "cadillac plans" By the way, what is a "cadillac" plan, one that actually covers health costs?

0 # Guest 2010-02-21 14:40

I can beat that--my husband who has a heart condition and is essentially uninsurable and I pay $1700 per month for coverage. How do we do it? My husband takes his salary in health care benefits.

+1 # Guest 2010-02-21 09:12

Call your Senators! Make sure they sign Sen. Michael Bennet's letter to Reid, and demand that a robust public option be included in the Senate's reform package.

There can be no real reform without a public option that protects everyone.

+1 # Guest 2010-02-21 09:29

If Reid does it right, the Democrats will win out in November. If he compromises on either coverage or the timetable, the Ds will lose big. We need total coverage for all, beginning next month. When the people and small business realize the benefits, the Democrats will hold Congress. Otherwise it is a grim future of Bildenberg rule.

+2 # Guest 2010-02-21 14:07

We simply NEED AN ADEQUATE HEALTH SYSTEM!!! Get it done, Dems (and whatever Repugs who still have a heart and brain cells left.........)

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