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Where does health care bill go from here?

POSTED: Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 5:35pm

UPDATED: Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 4:06am

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite a new December snowfall record in Washington D.C., senators did go to work this weekend, and Sunday Senate democrats say they did what they had to do to get a firm 60 votes and move the health care bill forward.

So where do we go from here?

On Capitol Hill Saturday, a day for suits and boots.

After hours of debate the last democratic holdout, Nebraska's Ben Nelson, is now on board.

Making a rare appearance, President Obama backed the deal, along with a host of last minute changes to the bill.

"After nearly a century long struggle, we're on the cusp of making healthcare reform a reality," the President exclaimed.

But it was a hard fought victory. Now with 60 votes, democrats think they can meet their deadline.

Among the changes, the revised bill drops a government-run public option, leaves out a Medicare buy in for those 55 to 64, raises penalties on those who do not buy health insurance, and replaces a tax on cosmetic surgery with a new 10 percent tax on indoor tanning.

The plan would result in 31 million more Americans being covered.

The cost?

871 billion dollars over 10 years, paid for with new taxes and cuts to the growth of Medicare.

Outraged that the full bill is only now being revealed, republicans are united in opposition.

If the Senate passes a reform measure by Christmas, it then would go to a conference committee of senators and members of the House of Representatives, who already approved its own more liberal bill in November.

The conference committee would have to meld the senate and house measures into one bill that would then require passage again in both houses of Congress before it could be sent to President Obama.

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Really? Mexicans come to America for healthcare? My father was diagnosed with serious heart problems. He still needs open heart surgery and plans to have it done in Mexico. He has worked in the US for about 30 years and payed taxes ever since. There is no reason he should recieve healthcare for free. I've seen the government run hospitals in Mexico and to be honest they are ran more efficiently than hopsitals I've seen in south GA. I agree NO ONE won with this watered down mess of a bill. We need a public option and stop giving insurance companies a reach around.WHY should they profit off of our sickness?

For those who are supporting this bill, do you not understand. This bill is NOT healthcare reform, unless you consider poorer care for fewer people positive reform! This bill will only increase unemployment, taxes on the poor, and reduce our overall civil rights. It is about putting power in the hands of government, not improving healthcare in America.
As far as the rest of the industrialized nations, when they need major health care, Canadians come to America, Mexicans come to America, Europeans that can afford it come to America. The Chinese and Cubans just go to the morgue because they have little or no major health care.

The Republicans are responsible for the watered down health care reform bill. However, better to have this one than no bill because it can be added to later.
The Repubicans are the weasels who fought against health care reform. They have lost and now we shall begin to be part of the industrialized countries who care for citizens health care.
I am a registered republican and am ashamed to admit it; however, I intend to transfer my vote to the democrats for the next election.

It's not over yet Obama Bot....or did you not actually READ the article your posting about? Perhaps you should read about whats going on before you start spewing your ignorance.

For those of you who voted FOR Obama only for his skin color, and it can't be denied you exist even if you won't admit to it, be prepared. Obama is a liberal Democrat first and an African-American only when he needs to play the phony racism card. Under this bill you will be the first left with little or no health care. Just remember, when the hospital turns you away because the law prevents them from treating you, be sure to blame the white Republicans who can't stop the bill, and treat the uncaring Democrats that caused you to loose your medical care as heroes.

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