Reid: No health care vote in Senate until fall

[tombogan03884]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic leaders on Thursday abandoned plans for a vote on health care before Congress' August recess, dealing a blow to President Barack Obama's ambitious timetable to revamp the nation's $2.4 trillion system of medical care.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., delivered the official pronouncement on what had been expected for weeks, saying, "It's better to have a product based on quality and thoughtfulness rather than try to jam something through."

His words were a near-echo of Republicans who have criticized the rush to act on complex legislation that affects every American.

Reid told reporters the Senate Finance Committee will act on its portion of the bill before lawmakers' monthlong break. Reid then will merge that bill with separate legislation passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee earlier this month.

The process will be difficult since Finance, led by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is seeking a bipartisan deal while the health committee bill was passed by Democrats on a party-line vote.

Reid said the decision to delay a vote was made Wednesday night in the hopes of getting a final bill that can win at least 60 votes in the Senate.

Reid said he had listened to the requests from senior Republicans working with Baucus to allow more time for a compromise to emerge.

"The decision was made to give them more time and I don't think it's unreasonable," he said.

Obama, who just Wednesday night on prime-time television made another appeal for health care, had pressed for the full House and Senate to vote on respective bills before the August recess. The news of the delay came just hours before the president's appearance at a health care forum in Ohio.

Still, Democrats remain frustrated with the pace of fulfilling Obama's goal of expanding coverage to Americans who lack it and containing rising costs.

"The Finance Committee keeps dragging their feet and dragging their feet and dragging their feet. It's time for them to fish or cut bait," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said in a conference call with Iowa reporters.

But at the same time, nine freshman Senate Democrats, largely from swing states, sent a letter to Baucus urging him to keep working toward a bipartisan solution.

In the House, Democratic leaders struggled to win over rebellious moderates and conservative rank-and-file party members who are demanding changes to the bill. The dispute has forced Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to postpone work on the legislation for three straight days while he negotiates.

Waxman's committee is the last of three House panels trying to finish the $1.5 trillion, 10-year legislation that would create a government-run plan to compete with private insurance, increase taxes on the wealthy, and require employers and individuals to get health insurance.

Many of the provisions of the legislation, however, wouldn't take effect until 2013 — after the next presidential election.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the third-ranking House Democrat, said a Thursday morning, 90-minute meeting of the leadership was particularly contentious. He said lawmakers should abandon plans for their monthlong break if the House hasn't passed a health care bill.

"We must stay here and get this thing done," he said at a news conference. "I feel very strongly about that. ... I think it will affect our standing with the American people if we don't do this."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., didn't rule out going into August to get the bill done but said it might not be necessary.

"I'm not afraid of August. It's a month," Pelosi said. "What I am interested in is the sooner the better to pass health care for the American people."

"We will take the bill to the floor when it is ready and when it is ready we will have the votes to pass it," Pelosi added. She stood by — but didn't repeat — a claim she made Wednesday that she has the necessary votes now to pass a health overhaul.

Underscoring the deep divisions among Democrats was concern among members of the Congressional Black Caucus that Obama and the leadership were making too many concessions to the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats.

Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus said they requested a meeting with Obama.

"We felt it was important that more than one voice be heard," said Donna Christensen, the congressional delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands who is leading the black caucus' health care efforts. "When we hear phrases like squeezing more savings out of the system ... we're concerned that what may be taken out will be provisions that are critical to our communities."

The mostly liberal black caucus wants to make sure that any reform retains core provisions such as a public health insurance option that guarantees coverage for everyone.

"We don't want to see them negotiated or eroded away," said Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill.

[JC5123]

"I'm not afraid of August. It's a month," Pelosi said. "What I am interested in is the sooner the better to pass health care for the American people." From article.

Hey Nanci! If you READ the bill nothing goes into effect until 2013!!!! So it won't matter if you sit on it for 2 more years!!!! But then again, if you keep this crap going you'll be on the curb in a year and a half. So I can see the rush.

Hey Kid! I think last nights prime time speech was the start of a full fledged temper tantrum!!
I've got popcorn, goobers and beer! Just waiting for the entertainment!!!!!

  I WANT MY HEALTH CARE, AND I WANT IT NOW!

Poor BHO, never been spanked before. Maybe he should put away his GM, and AIG toys and go put on his big boy panties.

[Kid Shelleen]

"I'm not afraid of August. It's a month," Pelosi said. "What I am interested in is the sooner the better to pass health care for the American people." From article.

Hey Nanci! If you READ the bill nothing goes into effect until 2013!!!! So it won't matter if you sit on it for 2 more years!!!! But then again, if you keep this crap going you'll be on the curb in a year and a half. So I can see the rush.

Hey Kid! I think last nights prime time speech was the start of a full fledged temper tantrum!!
I've got popcorn, goobers and beer! Just waiting for the entertainment!!!!!

  I WANT MY HEALTH CARE, AND I WANT IT NOW!

Poor BHO, never been spanked before. Maybe he should put away his GM, and AIG toys and go put on his big boy panties.

It was amazing how he spoke for an hour and only talked about funding the plan. He did everything possible to avoid discussing the plan itself. Did you notice how when he was asked, twice, about rationing, he managed to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.

It was also pretty embarrassing when our esteemed post turtle, the nations chief law enforcer, called the Cambridge police stupid. He began by saying that he didn't know the facts and then proceeded to call the police stupid.

[JC5123]

It was amazing how he spoke for an hour and only talked about funding the plan. He did everything possible to avoid discussing the plan itself. Did you notice how when he was asked, twice, about rationing, he managed to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.

It was also pretty embarrassing when our esteemed post turtle, the nations chief law enforcer, called the Cambridge police stupid. He began by saying that he didn't know the facts and then proceeded to call the police stupid.

I heard that!! I couldn't believe he would say something like that. I had to double check and make sure they hadn't bait and switched me. For a second there I thought I was listening to AL Sharpton. I had to give my wife credit though. She called it. When it comes time to declare marshal law  the local cops will remember what he really thinks of them.

[MikeBjerum]

I am so sick and tired of this being labled "health care reform!"  This is nothing about reforming health care!  This is about creating another level of welfare and taking away personal rights and responsibilities!

If they want to reform health care they would treat it like they do every other "greedy" industry.  Look what the Gov. did to big oil a couple years ago, and what they did was minor compared to shafting the health care industry has been giving the American public for decades 

I'd say F*** 'em all, but I don't think I'd have any takers with Pelosi being first in line 

[Sponsor]

[WatchManUSA]

Last night Cesar Obamus used the Mayo Clinic as an example of how Obama-Care should work.  Yet his “plan,” as pointed out by many, does nothing to address quality.  In fact, last night he accused physicians as perpetrating fraud on the medical system.

Perhaps the Great Obamus needs to check out what Mayo is really saying!

Quoting the Mayo Clinic: NOTE, that the Mayo Clinic does not show support for the current legislation.  They only say the endorse reform and universal access.

The Mayo Clinic says that – …we wholeheartedly support President Obama’s call for healthcare reform, and agree with his position that “the status quo is the one option that is not on the table”. We applaud the House and the Senate for their ongoing efforts to obtain universal coverage for all Americans.”

Although there are some positive provisions in the current House Tri-Committee bill - including insurance for all and payment reform demonstration projects - the proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. In fact, it will do the opposite.

In general, the proposals under discussion are not patient focused or results oriented. Lawmakers have failed to use a fundamental lever - a change in Medicare payment policy - to help drive necessary improvements in American health care. Unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the citizens of the United States.

We urge you to insist that reform legislation includes a method that pays for value and quality, rather than the quantity of medical procedures. Currently, Medicare pays the most to ten states that often provide poorer outcomes, safety, and service at higher cost, and much less to most of the country where providers demonstrate generally better outcomes, safety and service at lower cost. As healthcare providers, we believe that insertion of a measurement of value into the payment system is a critical step to change provider behavior throughout the country and “bend the cost curve” in U.S. health spending without compromising health.

[MikeBjerum]

Of course organizations like Mayo are going to be all for this.  This is turning to a single payer plan with ZERO accounts receivable.

The general population sees it as a way of reeling in costs of health care, but the providers will be paid based off "usual and customary fees."  Large providers based in large cities get way more than their smaller counter parts in more rural locations.

For a place like Mayo this plan is a plus.  The only question is how big a bonus it will be for them and their colleges.

Bend over and get ready!

[JC5123]

Of course organizations like Mayo are going to be all for this.  This is turning to a single payer plan with ZERO accounts receivable.

The general population sees it as a way of reeling in costs of health care, but the providers will be paid based off "usual and customary fees."  Large providers based in large cities get way more than their smaller counter parts in more rural locations.

For a place like Mayo this plan is a plus.  The only question is how big a bonus it will be for them and their colleges.

Bend over and get ready!

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Still got some lube left over from the stimulus. I wonder if this time they'll at least use a condom. You know under the guise of "health"?

[MikeBjerum]

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Still got some lube left over from the stimulus. I wonder if this time they'll at least use a condom. You know under the guise of "health"?

Yea, but it will be ribbed ... with barbed wire 

[JC5123]

Yea, but it will be ribbed ... with barbed wire 

Now THAT is just plain kinky! You think it will be administered by Haz's three foot, flat topped midget girl, with the no drip lip?



Ok, For that I will head to the corner.....