Is healthcare reform by October 15 really possible?

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In a meeting with House Republicans at the White House Thursday, President Obama reminded the minority that the last time he reached out to them, they reacted with zero votes -- twice -- for his stimulus package. And then he reminded them again. And again. And again.

...

Obama offered payback for that goose egg. A major overhaul of the health care system, he told the Republican leadership, would be done using a legislative process known as reconciliation, meaning that the GOP won't be able to filibuster it.

Congress has until October 15 to pass health care or student lending reform under the normal process. If it doesn't, reconciliation can be used to eliminate the 60-vote requirement.

...

Obama made clear to the GOP leadership that ... they didn't have veto power over health care policy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/24/o...d_n_191207.html

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

In a meeting with House Republicans at the White House Thursday, President Obama reminded the minority that the last time he reached out to them, they reacted with zero votes -- twice -- for his stimulus package. And then he reminded them again. And again. And again.

...

Obama offered payback for that goose egg. A major overhaul of the health care system, he told the Republican leadership, would be done using a legislative process known as reconciliation, meaning that the GOP won't be able to filibuster it.

Congress has until October 15 to pass health care or student lending reform under the normal process. If it doesn't, reconciliation can be used to eliminate the 60-vote requirement.

...

Obama made clear to the GOP leadership that ... they didn't have veto power over health care policy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/24/o...d_n_191207.html

Slumming, A.J.? Isn't that one of Stephen's favorite sources?

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Slumming, A.J.? Isn't that one of Stephen's favorite sources?

Here is news about healthcare and reconciliation, from a source that is perhaps more in line with your ideological leanings- Faux News.

The details are eye-opening. Republicans actually want to limit the ability of the uninsured to choose health care providers. What a bunch of pigs!

President Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress are poised to trample Republican opposition to his health care bill with a controversial legislative tactic known as reconciliation.

The fast-track process would protect Obama's ambitious plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system from a potential GOP filibuster and limit the Republicans' ability to get concessions. It also would give Democrats far more control over the specifics of the health care legislation.

...

Republicans [are] not planning to go down without a fight.

A GOP Senate committee aide told FOXNews.com that Republican lawmakers are considering offering amendments to the legislation that would be unpalatable to Democrats.

...

Republicans would try to add amendments that require employers to provide a certain number of dollars for every employee and limit the ability of uninsured Americans to choose health care providers, "specific changes that Democrats have said will not be included in any comprehensive health care plan," the aide said.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100da...gop-opposition/

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

reconciliation bill - A bill containing changes in law recommended pursuant to reconciliation instructions in a budget resolution. If the instructions pertain to only one committee in a chamber, that committee reports the reconciliation bill. If the instructions pertain to more than one committee, the Budget Committee reports an omnibus reconciliation bill, but it may not make substantive changes in the recommendations of the other committees.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_t...iation_bill.htm

reconciliation instruction - A provision in a budget resolution directing one or more committees to report (or submit to the Budget Committee) legislation changing existing law in order to bring spending, revenues, or the debt-limit into conformity with the budget resolution. The instructions specify the committees to which they apply, indicate the appropriate dollar changes to be achieved, and usually provide a deadline by which the legislation is to be reported or submitted.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_t...instruction.htm

reconciliation process - A process established in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 by which Congress changes existing laws to conform tax and spending levels to the levels set in a budget resolution. Changes recommended by committees pursuant to a reconciliation instruction are incorporated into a reconciliation measure.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_t...ion_process.htm

btf out of me.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The fast-track process could have a downside for Obama, since it's sure to anger Republicans whose support could help with business, insurers and other key interest groups.

Democrats, including Obama, have said repeatedly that they want the health care debate to be bipartisan and that the filibuster-proof terms would be used only if the GOP obstructs. But Republicans say the move has already poisoned the debate.

"Reconciliation is basically a nuclear weapon to use against the negotiators so what happens is nobody negotiates seriously because they can always go to reconciliation ... tilting the playing field unfairly," said Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, top Republican on the Budget Committee.

Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, one of the leading Democrats trying to write a health care bill, said Friday that going the fast-track route would only complicate matters, because Republican support is needed to pass legislation that would be broadly accepted.

"When you jam something down somebody's throat, it's not sustainable," Baucus told reporters. "And I want something that will last."

It's all process. Nothing to worrung about.

Edited April 25, 2009 by Mister_Bill