NYT: Senate Democrats Consider Tactic to Push Through Government Health Plan

[BzaDem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/health/policy/24healt...

Senate Democrats said Sunday that they were fleshing out plans to pass health legislation, particularly the option of a new government-run insurance program, with a simple majority, instead of the 60 votes that would ordinarily be needed to overcome a filibuster.

After consulting experts in Senate rules and procedure, the Democrats said they were increasingly confident that they could legislate creation of a public plan in a way that would withstand challenges expected from Republicans.

...

In the last week, Democrats have begun to talk openly of using a procedure known as budget reconciliation to pass a health bill in the Senate with a simple majority, assuming no Republican support. To do that, under Senate rules, they would probably need to show that the public plan changed federal spending or revenues and that the effects were not “merely incidental” to the changes in health policy.

Democrats believe they could clear this hurdle by demonstrating that the public plan would save money or cost money.

“If a public plan is shown to have a cost to the government that affects outlays or revenues, it could be included in a health care bill using reconciliation procedures,” said Martin P. Paone, a former Senate aide who has been consulted by Senate Democrats.

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I think such a public option (similar to Chuck Schumer's "Level Playing Field" public option) could probably get 50 votes. I'm worried about the Blue Dogs in the House though, who often negotiate and vote as somewhat of a block.

[saltpoint]

1. I'm optimistic and regret only that the Pukes, handed a truly historic

opportunity to be a national party directed toward the common good, told the president to go jump in the lake.

May it cost them dearly in coming election cycles.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. It's about goddamn time they push public option through.

AGGGHHH!

[Hippo_Tron]

3. Many of the Blue Dogs ultimately want the bill to pass

Because if it doesn't the President and the Democratic Party will be unpopular and they will be the first to lose their seats in 2010. The problem is that while they want it to pass but they don't want to vote for it or support it. It's kind of a conundrum.

[quantass]

4. If they go this route (hopeful) that it will be STRONG.