Healthcare Debate Day One
The first of the healthcare debate passed in the senate without much fanfare. There were no votes plenty of amendment ideas, and partisan outrage. Behind the scenes Monday evening as cast of characters assembled to strategize that included Harry Reid, Democrat Senator from Nevada the Senate Majority Leader and most responsible for the 2,074-page bill. The healthcare gang of six including Senator Max Baucus of Montana, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, If you remember President Obama choose Daschle first for the Health and Human Services Secretary after all he did write a book on healthcare. He withdrew his name over his failure to accurately report and pay income taxes. In true Whitehouse fashion, they gave the job to Kathleen Sebelius another tax cheat instead. Today there should be some amendments and some votes as the democrats need to secure 60 votes needed to pass this cornerstone of the Presidents administration. The bill itself is growing everyday as today it is reported to be a 10-year, nearly $1 trillion legislation. This will include a first-time requirement for most Americans to carry insurance, expands the Medicaid federal-state insurance program for the poor, and require insurers to cover any paying customer regardless of their medical history or condition. Typically the senate will go on holiday recess from December 21-January 4 based on passed years. This means there is only 14 days excluding weekends but do not be surprised with an up or down vote on Saturday December 19.