Monday, November 9, 2009

House, Senate differ sharply on health care reform


This past weekend marked a major step forward with the House approving a major overhaul of the United States' health care system. There are still major hurdles to overcome, however. The more conservative Senate still has to pass its own version, and this could prove difficult with a smaller Democratic majority and stronger Republican minority. What does everyone think, will the Senate bill contain the public option? Will the employer mandate in the House bill hold up in the Senate? Let me know your thoughts.

3 comments:

timin chen said...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/27/health.care/index.html

Lieberman says he'll join the Republican filibuster if there is a public option on the final senate bill. 60 votes are needed to pass this bill, and the Democratic caucus has 60 members, of which Lieberman is one. so will the senate bill have the public option?...it will be a close call, that's for sure.

Oakland Children's Hospital CAP said...
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Cheryl Toledo said...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/11/first-full-senate-health-care-showdown-could-happen-next-week/

It's crazy how the debate for the Senate health care bill could potentially happen by next Tuesday. I really hope it does--that will be one intense debate! But it's not just Leiberman now, but also Ben Nelson (moderate Dem from Nebraska) who may not be one of the 60 votes and who knows if others will join? My question is what would happen if they don't have all 60 votes next week to start the debate? I've heard the chances for the Senate bill to pass are higher than the House because it's more conservative/less expensive, but what about with the public option attached? And if the Senate doesn't vote for this, what will happen with the House bill? So many questions, hopefully we'll get some good answers starting next week..