With such a difficult time passing the House, what chances do we have in the Senate...?

[kentuck]

Of passing any meaningful healthcare "reform"? Simply raising the premiums on everyone else to pay for the premiums of those that don't have coverage is not "reform", in my opinion. If the costs do not go down for everyone, then it is not "reform". The only way for that to happen is to have some sort of "public option". If the Senate cannot do that, I do not have a lot of hope for meaningful reform. I am not encouraged by the close vote in the House last night.

[HughMoran]

1. Did Pelosi release any Democrats from voting for the bill last night?

I thought she had closer to 222 and let a couple of Dems in marginal districts vote against it - no?

[AlinPA]

2. I don't think we have much chance in the senate. They probably won't be able to make one

bill out of the two they have. In any case, filibuster will stop progress.

[tonysam]

3. It's DOA

All of those months wasted when the emphasis should have been on the economy and job creation.

[deaniac21]

4. All I know is that the insurance companies are dancing in the

street.

[chimpymustgo]

14. It's win/win for them. Change THEY can believe in.

[The Magistrate]

5. Momentum, Sir, Continues On Our Side With This Vote

Never under-estimate the effect of a prevailing wind upon the noble Senate....

[kentuck]

7. They will attempt to pass something...

and call it "reform".

I hope it doesn't end up being a huge handout to the insurance company, disguised as reform? I seriously doubt there will be any public option in a Senate bill.

[The Magistrate]

11. There Will have To Be Some Form Of Public Option, Sir, Or It Will Not Get Through The House

We are fighting for an opening wedge, and that is the point over which we must stand willing to wreck the thing if the right rump of the Party will not come along....

[kentuck]

12. That will be the debate, Sir...

and will the left of the Party be willing to wreck the entire thing if there is no public option? The battle has just begun.

[The Magistrate]

13. Exactly, My Friend, And The Progressive Caucus Must Be Stone on This

It is just as true that nothing can be done without us as it is that nothing can be done without the 'blue dogs'. With the Stupak abomination the latter have been fed, and we must make clear they have to come to us now in exchange for the vittles....

[kentuck]

15. I assume that a lot will be taken out of the House bill.

Including the fines and the Stupak Amendment. They will also attempt to take out the public option. The final bill will not look like the bill that passed last night, in my opinion.

[opihimoimoi]

8. I copy that...... :o)

[atomicweeder]

6. Those of you with Flexible Spending Accounts are screwed

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (aka "cafeteria plan") and some of you do (including Federal employees), you just got screwed last night.

Under current law, FSA's are tax-exempt. So if your employer gives you $8,000 a year to spend on family health care, it's all tax-free.

Under HR 3962, passed last night, only the first $2,500 is tax-free. (See Section 532 on page 325). So now you will have to pay Federal, and maybe state and county income tax on the remaining $5,500. In a 20% tax bracket, that's $1,100 in Federal per year.

This is for real. I had three separate conversations last night with aides to Congressman Gerry Connolly. The aides said that he was aware of it, and concerned about it, but it wouldn't stop him from voting yes.

Bottom line: you get to keep your plan, and keep your doctors, and pay a lot more tax.

[kentuck]

9. It does have to go thru the Senate and signed by the President..

before it becomes law.

[annabanana]

10. It's uphill, but not impossible.

Things change, carrots are dangled, sticks are brandished. It's our job to keep the pressure on

[mdmc]

17. I can't believe that Obama would allow this crappy compromise if

he didn't think he could ram it through senate..

I mean, wtf. If Obama didn't think this crap would pass, why didn't he just push for real reform and let that fail? that would have been noble..

[AllentownJake]

16. Only 3 blue dogs are up for re-election next year

The only leverage there is are with Lincoln, Bayh, and Dorgan.

Evan Bayh has 12 million dollars on hand

Lincoln has 4 million dollars on hand

Byron Dorgan has 4 million dollars on hand