Is this really the end of the healthcare bill?

[HopeOverFear]

I've been reading stuff all day, and starting to feel sad. Is it really over? Someone please talk me down (or up, or something).

[liberalpragmatist]

1. I don't think so

But I'm not going to lie: I'm very worried.

The problem seems to be this. The Senate is wiping its hands of health care and telling the House "ball's in your court." The House is furious at the Senate and refusing the pass the Senate bill. And the White House is saying "you guys figure this out."

Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

Now, the most positive reading is this: the White House and the congressional leadership are trying to figure out the procedural options and trying to game out whether they can get the House to pass the Senate bill and make amendments through reconciliation. Also, what kind of changes can they make through reconciliation?

If that fails, then is there something less ambitious that can be salvaged? (I'm skeptical, since where are you going to find 60 votes in the Senate for that?)

Also, it appears the White House just wants the mood to settle a bit. People are spooked, and so the White House figures it'll change the topic to financial reform for now, give the SOTU, and maybe try to get a jobs bill while reconciliation is gamed out.

It may be a good idea. Right now, there's a lot of hostage-taking and it may be best to get health care off the front pages for a few weeks, get a couple quick, easy victories, and then coalesce behind the bill.

The reason I'm somewhat skeptical is that the longer this has gone on the worse the poll numbers have gotten. And the problem is I'm not seeing any timeframe, or any sense of urgency about it. We get vague assurances that "yeah, we'll get a health care bill," but when, how and in what shape are going unsaid. Moreover, what happens if they DON'T get time? What if the White House decides to push financial reform first? Do they really expect that to be an easy fight? And if it isn't, then when will they have time to fix the health care bill?

I suppose the best thing any of us can do is call our reps. in Congress, encourage them to pass the Senate bill and fix it in reconciliation, and then not freak for a few days. Take a deep breath, and let's see what'll happen. Things are edgy right now and they may well calm down soon.

[HopeOverFear]

3. thanks for that

helps me feel a little better.

[treestar]

2. I think so

There could be some reforms got through, but we won't have a system to start improving on.

Very unfortunate blow. One would not have expected a repuke from MA.

He did vote for their state plan which is supposedly similar to this, so there is some hope there. Maybe he would not filibuster. I tended to assume that since the GOP sticks together, but Snowe let us have the stimulus. So you never know.

[CTLawGuy]

9. the thing with Snowe

is because of who she is, how long she's been there, and where she's from, she can pretty much do whatever she wants. The Rs know that if they toppled her in a primary they would lose the seat.

[Cha]

4. I don't think so either..

But, that's the whole idea of too many on DU..demoralize, snark, and lying their heads off.

[Cary]

8. Yeah, I still don't understand it.

With "friends" like these who needs "conservatives?"

[sandnsea]

5. Gibbs was completely misquoted

Obviously Tuesday resulted in new political circumstances. The President believes that the Speaker and the Majority Leader are doing the right thing in giving this some time and figuring out the best way forward. We welcome the input, as I talked about yesterday, from members of Congress from any political party that are serious about dealing with, as the President has been, and as Republicans and Democrats have been in the committee process and in the House and in the Senate, who are focused on dealing with those issues.

Obviously as the Majority Leader and the Speaker look for the best way forward, the President has -- continues to have a very full plate. Financial reform was something he talked about; getting our economy back on that firmer foundation; dealing with Iraq and Afghanistan; the problems of terror. So there's plenty of work for the President to do in the time being.



Q So does that mean health care is now on the back burner while he works on those other issues?

MR. GIBBS: No, again, I repeat simply that the President believes it is the exact right thing to do by giving this some time, by letting the dust settle, if you will, and looking for the best path forward.

[ginnyinWI]

6. if you stay out of the blogosphere,

things don't look as bleak. There's a lot of over-reacting goin' on. I'm taking a wait and see attitude. Obama has pulled rabbits out of his hat before.

[TicketyBoo]

7. Tsk, tsk.

And just when I've been telling everyone that he isn't a magician, so don't expect him to pull out his magic wand and make everything all better.