Sebelius Open to Fast-Track Process for Health Bill

[steven johnson]

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, President Barack Obama's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services, indicated Tuesday she wouldn't take off the table a fast-track process for passing a health-overhaul bill despite Republicans' opposition to the tactic.

Ms. Sebelius, testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said she had spoken with members of Congress who support using the budget-reconciliation process to pass health legislation, which would allow a bill to pass in the Senate with only 51 votes rather than 60. She appeared to support using that approach under some circumstances, saying there was an interest in Congress in "not taking tools off the table prematurely, but being very dedicated to a bipartisan process and bipartisan bill."

Republicans fear that it would severely curtail their involvement in crafting a bill. Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, the leading Republican on the panel, warned that including "instructions" for health legislation in a budget resolution currently being considered in Congress would be tantamount to "a declaration of war."

Still, Ms. Sebelius pointed to her experience as governor and insurance commissioner in Kansas, a state dominated by Republicans.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123851568142774123.html

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Here comes one of the first knock down, drag out fights.

[msongs]

1. gotta get that corporate health care bill passed pronto nt

[MessiahRp]

2. Yep there's no slowing down the fast track to corporate welfare...

eom

Rp

[TheWraith]

4. Yeah, because we all know how much the Republicans oppose that.

Did you think at all before you typed?

[biopowertoday]

3. She wants it quick so that single payer is completely left out. YUP. damm!

[karynnj]

6. Do you seriously think that single payer has the support to pass?

1) How many co-sponsors does Sanders have? Zero - though it is only 6 days days old, if it had the strength and support to pass rather than the bills that the administration and the chairs of the HELP and Finance committee, Kennedy and Baucus are supporting - it would at least have SOME. Consider that Kennedy who was a major player in every healthcare improvement from Congress that I can think of in the last 40 years is not behind it. IF he moved to support it, I think it might have a chance - because he will not sacrifice something that will do some good for something that will not pass.

2) Look where it was assigned to go - to the Finance committee. Do you honestly think that Baucus will act on it?

The reason she and Obama want to do it on the reconciliation path is because they have a much better chance passing a better bill that way. They need a bill that at least 50 Senators vote for - not 60 - that means LESS compromises.

[global1]

7. Kennedy Is In The Pocket Of Big Insurance And Big Pharma.....

This vote tactic is to pacify us single payer supporters - telling us this is the only way we'll get any healthcare reform. We don't want those evil Repugs hindering that. In the back rooms of the Capitol - the deal is already laid out. We'll go with the 51 vs 60 vote - we'll make some noise - but bottom line we will support anything that still involves the insurance companies.

So Sebilius is not doing this to end-run the Repugs. They will make noise for show - but they really support it. The American people will have the wool pulled over their eyes once more and that campaign contribution cash flow from Big Insurance and Big Pharma will continue to flow - to keep these so-called 'people representatives' fat and happy in their positions for re-election.

They are only helping themselves - they aren't helping the American people. This will be a health reform bill only in name - but it will really protect the status quo with only very minor changes. Yeah - change we are told to believe in. Manipulation 101.

[karynnj]

8. If Kennedy,who has worked a lifetime on nearly every liberal

program implemented in the last 40 years is in the pocket of big insurance, please give me the names of the 50 Senators that are to his left, who will work on single payer. I will start you off with one - Sanders. Tell me who the other 49 are.

[biopowertoday]

9. You have not done any reseach on the his proposal or you would not

say such silly things.

byw. much has been posted on du but it seems you missed them.

[karynnj]

13. I have read his proposal and it is very very good

What I haven't seen is 50 Senators saying they would support it. If you saw anything suggesting that 50 Senators would vote yes - give me a link. That point is not "silly", it is REALITY.

Your insults to me do not make it any more likely that single payer could pass this year. I have read both DU and other sources on the bill - and actually went to Thomas to look at it - that's how I know it has no co-sponsors. If Kennedy, who spent the end of the fall in DC working on health care when the Senate was out of session names even though his own health is poor, won't do - there is no way you have 50 Senators. His dedication to healthcare has been there for 40 years.

[biopowertoday]

10. Well, Obama did not invite S-P adovocates to his summit until they threatened

to rally outside the WH the day of the summit. Then the WH relented and they got an invite the day before. Obama is playing the game with Kennedy.

[quidam56]

5. We need a cure for health care in America

In East Tennessee, profit care comes ahead of patient care... http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[biopowertoday]

11. K and R for single-payer to be at the table.

[avaistheone1]

12. The Democrats have the power. It is only them we can blame if we don't get a single-payer plan.