FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Yet another delay when it comes to health care reform. The Senate Finance committee vote on its bill, which was expected as early as yesterday, will be pushed back - possibly into next week.
This is so the Congressional Budget Office can look at the nearly $900 billion bill... to make sure its cost and revenue estimates are what they are supposed to be.
Meanwhile tax experts say this Senate bill would impose $29 billion more in taxes on health care industries than originally thought - this is just another reason for Republicans to continue fighting reform. It also is another sign of how far health care reform has to go before it can become law.
Consider this: there are five health care bills in all... two in the Senate and three in the House. All but this one have passed their committees. When and if the finance committee passes this bill, it will be combined with other Senate bill into one piece of legislation - which will then be debated on the floor of the Senate and voted on. Same thing in the House - one bill will be created from the three that exist now - then debate and an eventual vote.
If the final Senate and House versions both pass, the two bills will then go to a conference committee to be reconciled and put into final form before being voted on again by both houses of Congress. If that bill passes, only then will it go to President Obama for his signature.
Piece of cake.
Here’s my question to you: When do you think we'll see health care reform?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Tom writes:
We will not see real health reform with the current system. Insurance companies try to maximize their profits while health care institutions do the same; two different and conflicting goals. In this system, profits can grow when consumers suffer, because the measures of company profits versus customer satisfaction do not depend on each other. When we have a system where the goals of health care providers and payment providers (whatever form they take) are the same, we will have reform. Not before.
J. writes:
The politics of postponement are alive and well in Washington, DC. Even if health care reform is passed this year, we will not see the first wave enacted for at least 4 years. It will probably be phased in over 6-10 years. Only legislation backed by lobbyists is enacted in a few months.
Alice from Alexander, Arkansas writes:
Next year. I don't understand why we can't get this done. Other nations have been able to come up with a plan that works for their people, but for some reason we can't… If senior citizens and the poor are entitled to basic health care, so should the rest of the American people.
John from Cleveland writes:
When the Democrats get the courage to do what all the polls say their constituents want, instead of doing what the insurance companies and their lobbyists want. Which may be never.
C.K. from Honolulu writes:
It may be a watered-down bill or one that is "slammed through" with narrow Democratic majorities. However, given Obama's absolute political need for "a health care reform" bill to pass, something will come through.
Anthony writes:
Not till next year – or ever. And, the final bill will be so watered down, no "real" reform will happen. The fact is the Democrats and Pres. Obama have dropped the ball on this – totally. What the hell is the point of a majority if you don't use it?