Health Care Reform Bill Moves Past Another Hurdle
On Saturday the Senate voted 60-39 to begin debate on the health care bill that represents the centerpiece of President Obama’s domestic agenda. Yes, you read that right: sixty votes (in a chamber with 100 members) were required to begin debate under the Senate’s cloture rule. And, immediately, several Democratic Senators and one Independent, issued threats to vote against cloture when the time comes to end debate (so the bill can be voted up or down) – unless the bill is substantially amended in the next month or two (during what is aptly referred to in the Senate as “extended debate”).
For advocates of health care reform, the ins and outs of arcane Senate rules – and the compromises that have kept the bill moving forward – are not a pretty sight. Jonathon Cohn, who has been following the health care saga for The New Republic, notes, “For progressives, victories are more likely to come in the form of ground not conceded than ground gained. Every day that legislation doesn’t get worse is a day to cherish.”
Why do ‘centrist’ opponents of health care reform seem to have more leverage than progressive advocates? Because, when push comes to shove, they aren’t trying to get to ‘Yes.’ So, as Ezra Klein, who has followed the health care debate at the Washington Post puts it, “If this is comparable to any form of negotiation, it’s a hostage negotiation. The hostage-takers might not prefer to kill the kid, but there’s definitely some upside to killing the kid, as it strengthens them in future negotiations.”
For perspective, Cohn points out that political opponents on “the right, and many of its kindred special interests, are going absolutely crazy” at the prospect of health care reform passing. While imperfect, the legislation represents a huge step in providing better health care to more Americans.
Ronald Brownstein offers a positive assessment of the bill’s impact on another goal of health care reform: restraining health care costs – to “bend the curve” – in a wonkish piece that Rahm Emanuel made required reading for senior White House staff.
(Image of US Senate 1831 Seal from Wikimedia Commons.)
