"Exit Question: Why didn't the Republicans refuse unanimous consent and force the bill to be read in its entirety?"

Wht? Because after months and months of negotiations there simple is no reason to delay this any further.

It is what it is. It's not perfect, but it's a move in the right direction.

And it's time.

"It is what it is. It's not perfect, but it's a move in the right direction."

Wrongo Stevo arrives to lose the day.

It will won't get through the Senate. Too many Senators up for re-election in 2010 are afraid for their seats.

A five vote diff in the house is way to close for this garbage to achieve ultimate success. Senate will not be able to meet cloture as they soon will hear even more from their constituents. Therefore there will be NO health-care-destruction bill out of congress this year. Nor next as its an election year (thank God!). The Obama Organization and the Dems will blame the non-bill result on Talk Radio, Republicans, and Crazies across the country - this will be easier for the rad-left to accept than a no-govt-health-bill. So buck up my conservative friends - Dems are cheering now, but it wont last.

The tounging will last about 3 news cycles.

Than Obama will continue on with losing millions of jobs, blaming Bush, praising Himself as He praises Himself, blaming Boosh, praising His good intentions, mesmerizing us with sainthood like qualities and dissing everyone smarter than Him. In other words. Everyone else besides Him..

The vote was as close as it needed to be to pass, and nothing more. Once the needed number of votes were gotten for passage then some of the blue dog Democrats were allowed to vote no. They would have voted yes if needed.

The road through the Senate will be more difficult, but then a couple of weeks ago some were predicting the bill would never make it through the House.

I was skeptical they could muster the votes to pass this disastrous monstrosity of a health care bill but they did. It just goes to show you how tone deaf Democrats are to the will of the people. It is hard to imagine anything this radical and stupid can make it through the Senate though but take nothing for granted.

My question is this: what did Republicans do to deserve this kind of blatant and petty partisanship from Democrats? They have completely shut Republicans out of the entire process so it is very clear that all the talk of bipartisanship was pure BS on the part of Obama and his supporters. They are governing this nation in a way that the Bush Administration never did. The left was always upset with Bush's "you are either with us or against us" stance in the War on Terror but at least he was referring to our enemies and not other Americans as the current powers that be are in making the same argument. And liberals need to remember this: a clear majority of the American public supported the Iraq War at the time it was voted on in Congress. The same cannot be said of this unconstitutional health care legislation.

Looks like Colburn has to have the bill read on the Senate floor now.

The longer we can drag it out, the better the chance we have of killing it.

In the meantime, the Dems voted for this. Lets make them choke on it at the midterms

The "blue dogs" will hear from their constituents over the holidays for their overall support of "O"s policies. As well as the rinos will be for their straying from conservative values. The economy will be in worse shape in 2010 unfortunately for many Americans and they will be in no mood to hear "grab a mop!"

s green "The vote was as close as it needed to be to pass, and nothing more. Once the needed number of votes were gotten for passage then some of the blue dog Democrats were allowed to vote no."

The alternate, and most likely scenario is the Stupec amendment passed and banned tax dollars funding abortion.

Not that it won't be stuck into the Senate bill, but bottomline is THAT's why blue dogs voted for it.

steve's partisan bubble is burst.

It just goes to show you how tone deaf Democrats are to the will of the people.

Um, no. You are tone deaf.

The majority is for healthcare reform. Only the ignorant or easily lead believe what the republicans tell them (big surprise. That's your most prominent characteristic) - and their motivations are obviously questionable as they are puppets of the healthcare lobby.

Doesn't matter, really. Your opinions are not the majority and a are built from your own frustrations of a system you no longer have say in (thanks to the will of the American people).

And guess what? Just like everything else in this world here, once it's administered it will all be fine. A few kinks, but fine. No amount of fear-mongering will change the reality that most people adjust to change. You people seem to be pathologically opposed to change at all costs. If the republicans had their say 100%, we'd live in a world where the elderly and poor would starve and die, blacks would still not have equal rights and we'd be more of a theocracy, ruled by a far right Christian fringe rather than a cross section of society.

You are neanderthals - and the only reason ALL the world doesn't see that is because of the few things democrats have managed to do in the past 70 or so years.

Hmm, Did anyone else notice that Rep. Coa didnt cast his strong, independent, principeld vote until after 218 yes votes had been cast. What a gutsy guy.

Soon enough, Republicans will be pretending that they weren't REALLY opposed to some modest healthcare reform in the same manner that they're pretending that they were really, secretly opposed to each and every Bush Administration fiasco that came along.

SteveP good job, you presented a single poll that from October 4 (a month old) to make your point that 51% favor and 41% Oppose.

However,
The Rasmussen Poll from October 31 shows:
42% Favor, 54% Oppose

Or this October 8 Quinnipac Poll:
40% Favor, 47% Oppose
Interesingly, that poll also measured support if the Democrats try to pass it on partisan vote:
37% Favor, 57% Oppose
So 57% oppose a party line vote for healthcare, just what the Democrats did last night.

Here is a CNN/Opinion Research Poll from November 1:
45% Favor, 53% Oppose

SteveP, you show 1 and only 1 poll that is over a month old to say that more Americans favor Healthcare reform. I am showing you 3 different and more recent polls that say the opposite. The most recent poll I've linked to is less than a week old and is more than opposite your poll.

It appears that your opinion is the one that is not with the majority of Americans. Care to comment?

I watched a good deal of the "debate" on C-Span yesterday.

Democrats provided sob story after sob story. Innane, unverifable, and almost completely unrelated to anything this Bill would actually do. They did NOT address the massive cost, the massive intrusion into and/or elimination of our various liberties, and the massive debt to be foisted upon our children.

Republicans addressed the massive cost, the massive intrusion into and/or elimination of our various liberties, and the massive debt to be foisted upon our children.

If this abortion passes the Senate, then for the next 3 years NONE of the "rainbows & unicorns" so artfully described by the Democrats will occur. But the COST will be felt...and its impact on unemployment felt.

Lastly, as the 111...ONE HUNDRED and ELEVEN...new "agencies" fire up they will add their "straws to the camel's back".

Yesterday was a very dark day for our Republic. VERY.

Some people here have genuine concerns and reason from intellect....and then there are the others. Don't sign on with pelosi, get fined $15,000 and go to jail....what does this remind us of? Her birth family had strong ties to organized crime, I guess we can start calling pelosi the godmother.

SteveP writes:
"If the republicans had their say 100%, we'd live in a world where the elderly and poor would starve and die, blacks would still not have equal rights and we'd be more of a theocracy, ruled by a far right Christian fringe rather than a cross section of society.

You are neanderthals - and the only reason ALL the world doesn't see that is because of the few things democrats have managed to do in the past 70 or so years."

Steve, Steve, Steve, where does one begin with you...........
Again, you must understand that the abolitionist movement was historically more of a Republican movement than Democrat. Religious and other private charities on a local level have historically done a much better job of caring for the poor and disadvantaged than the government. You can check out the Charity Navigator web site and look at charitable organizations and check out administrative costs, etc. Hospitals still care for the indigent without Pelosicare, well that is unless Michelle Obama is an administrator there and then the place looks to dump those cases elsewhere.

"The majority of Americans being for health care reform" is not a ticket to fashion a terrible health care reform bill. However, the fact that the majority of Americans WANT health care reform is a strong sentiment on which the Democrats can play to further their agenda. I am sad to feel quite strongly that a lousy bill WILL get through the Senate. How can anyone not see how determined the Democrats are to get this done? It is telling that the majority of Americans stiil are not sufficiently skeptical about the Democrats after the lack of any substantive results from the bailout, the looming cap and trade fiasco, the continued hemorrhaging of funds through Freddie/Fannie. Maybe the freshman are worried about the next election, but the most powerful Democrats (and Republicans, probably) in the legislature have lost any real attachment to their constituency outside of the need to have themselves re-elected. They spend most of their time in DC and when not in session they probably consider it an inconvenience to return to the ungrateful rubes in their voting district. Why should people like Pelosi care about Tea Partiers? No matter the numbers of them outside the Capitol they have no effect on her power or the money she gets from donors for re-election. Plus, if she does lose an election she remains personally a very wealthy woman, probably gets a job in DC working for a think tank or as an advisor to lobbists, and because of her pension plan as a long term legislator, doesn't have to abide by the program in her own healthcare bill

I would be stunned if a lousy Healthcare reform bill does NOT make it through the Senate by the 2010 elections. Can we all not see how desperate they are to do so?

Oh, by the way, IF Obama willingly gives up the presidency after 1 or 2 terms, I believe he will be the first retired president who will make his home outside of the United States. Just sayin'.

I am pleased because it will only help conservatives. The majority of rep's thumbed their noses at the majority of americans that wanted no public option. Come on 2010 ww

I wonder if botox injections will be coverered under the new legislation?

Wanting Health care reform does not mean they want THIS health care reform.

For everyone who wants to take personal accountability and responsibility out of the picture in put it in the governement's hands:

HOW WILL WE PAY FOR THIS?

I do NOT think the elderly and poor should die as is charged by the left, but I DO NOT see it as the responsibility of the government to handle these matters. These are best left to personal charity.

We are looking at years and years of pork and bloated policies ahead of us.

If you support this monsterous pile of crap, just remember all the stones that have been thrown about the failing of Bush and the "Trillion Dollar" deficit Barry inherited.

It is about to be a speck of dust in a hurricane.

SteveP are you one of those leftie trolls on the Obama payroll?

Now that Pelosi has passed her secret bill at Sunday midnight, the whole nation will get to read all 2,000 appalling pages as it waits for the Senate to take it up. I doubt this bill will go anywhere in the Senate and the Democrats will lose 50 House seats and 5 senators next year. The Republicans should use succinct campaign slogan for 2010: "Stop Obama."

Adding 111 new govt. agencies. WOW.

Must need them to help eliminate the waste and abuse while improving efficiency.

LOLOLOLOL

This is absolutely comical, and damn sad.

All brought to you by the gang that couldn't get the flu shot distribution correct.

"Does anybody think that the teabag, anti-government people are going to support them if they bring down health care?
I have always thought Obamalala is a smart ass. He is a vulgar smart ass. The quote was from his pep talk with House Dems yesterday. I don't let people call me a tea bagger. I won't let them use a vulgar term that Anderson Cooper used coyly to describe my opposition to the economic policies of Obamalala. I have heard conservative talk show hosts let it slip by when the weenie liberals snicker and use it to describe a patriotic movement. The need to be called on it.

The quote you cite there doesn't support the claim that Obama is calling someone a "Tea Bagger."

There was a Republican-lead, anti-stimulus, anti-government protest marked by sending tea bags to Congress.

Adrian,
You can't be as stupid as you sound. Or maybe you are.

Welcome to slavery folks. Children yet to be born (those that are not aborted anyway) are already slaves to the debt and interest created by the reckless and criminal spending of Obama and CongrASS. It's ironic how this country fought a war to end slavery and now our first president, descendant of slave traders, is ready to bring back slavery and indentured servitude.

MPR, Adrian Brown is not only as stupid as he would lead you to believe by his writings here. If you check out what he has written over time, you will discover his is more stupid than you thought possible. He supports policies aganist his own self interest.

Hey Steve, exactly which part of this abomination really blows your skirt up?

• Sec. 202 (p. 91-92) of the bill requires you to enroll in a "qualified plan." If you get your insurance at work, your employer will have a "grace period" to switch you to a "qualified plan," meaning a plan designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you buy your own insurance, there's no grace period. You'll have to enroll in a qualified plan as soon as any term in your contract changes, such as the co-pay, deductible or benefit.

• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.

On Nov. 2, the Congressional Budget Office estimated what the plans will likely cost. An individual earning $44,000 before taxes who purchases his own insurance will have to pay a $5,300 premium and an estimated $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, for a total of $7,300 a year, which is 17% of his pre-tax income. A family earning $102,100 a year before taxes will have to pay a $15,000 premium plus an estimated $5,300 out-of-pocket, for a $20,300 total, or 20% of its pre-tax income. Individuals and families earning less than these amounts will be eligible for subsidies paid directly to their insurer.

• Sec. 303 (pp. 167-168) makes it clear that, although the "qualified plan" is not yet designed, it will be of the "one size fits all" variety. The bill claims to offer choice--basic, enhanced and premium levels--but the benefits are the same. Only the co-pays and deductibles differ. You will have to enroll in the same plan, whether the government is paying for it or you and your employer are footing the bill.

• Sec. 59b (pp. 297-299) says that when you file your taxes, you must include proof that you are in a qualified plan. If not, you will be fined thousands of dollars. Illegal immigrants are exempt from this requirement.

• Sec. 412 (p. 272) says that employers must provide a "qualified plan" for their employees and pay 72.5% of the cost, and a smaller share of family coverage, or incur an 8% payroll tax. Small businesses, with payrolls from $500,000 to $750,000, are fined less.

Eviscerating Medicare:

In addition to reducing future Medicare funding by an estimated $500 billion, the bill fundamentally changes how Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, permitting the government to dictate treatment decisions.

• Sec. 1302 (pp. 672-692) moves Medicare from a fee-for-service payment system, in which patients choose which doctors to see and doctors are paid for each service they provide, toward what's called a "medical home."

The medical home is this decade's version of HMO-restrictions on care. A primary-care provider manages access to costly specialists and diagnostic tests for a flat monthly fee. The bill specifies that patients may have to settle for a nurse practitioner rather than a physician as the primary-care provider. Medical homes begin with demonstration projects, but the HHS secretary is authorized to "disseminate this approach rapidly on a national basis."

A December 2008 Congressional Budget Office report noted that "medical homes" were likely to resemble the unpopular gatekeepers of 20 years ago if cost control was a priority.

• Sec. 1114 (pp. 391-393) replaces physicians with physician assistants in overseeing care for hospice patients.

• Secs. 1158-1160 (pp. 499-520) initiates programs to reduce payments for patient care to what it costs in the lowest cost regions of the country. This will reduce payments for care (and by implication the standard of care) for hospital patients in higher cost areas such as New York and Florida.

• Sec. 1161 (pp. 520-545) cuts payments to Medicare Advantage plans (used by 20% of seniors). Advantage plans have warned this will result in reductions in optional benefits such as vision and dental care.

• Sec. 1402 (p. 756) says that the results of comparative effectiveness research conducted by the government will be delivered to doctors electronically to guide their use of "medical items and services."

Questionable Priorities:

While the bill will slash Medicare funding, it will also direct billions of dollars to numerous inner-city social work and diversity programs with vague standards of accountability. (Can you spell A.C.O.R.N.?)

• Sec. 399V (p. 1422) provides for grants to community "entities" with no required qualifications except having "documented community activity and experience with community healthcare workers" to "educate, guide, and provide experiential learning opportunities" aimed at drug abuse, poor nutrition, smoking and obesity. "Each community health worker program receiving funds under the grant will provide services in the cultural context most appropriate for the individual served by the program."

These programs will "enhance the capacity of individuals to utilize health services and health related social services under Federal, State and local programs by assisting individuals in establishing eligibility . . . and in receiving services and other benefits" including transportation and translation services.

• Sec. 222 (p. 617) provides reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This program will train health-care workers to inform Medicare beneficiaries of their "right" to have an interpreter at all times and with no co-pays for language services.

• Secs. 2521 and 2533 (pp. 1379 and 1437) establishes racial and ethnic preferences in awarding grants for training nurses and creating secondary-school health science programs. For example, grants for nursing schools should "give preference to programs that provide for improving the diversity of new nurse graduates to reflect changes in the demographics of the patient population." And secondary-school grants should go to schools "graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds including racial and ethnic minorities."

So Steve, just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I hope you're able to comb your hair so the lobotomy scar doesn't show.
Have a nice day!

Five bucks says Cao switches to the Democrat party and gets reeelected in 2010.

"Steve"
You and your ilk have soared to your apogee
with Obama as the pilot. But engine #4 is
beginning to sputter, the hydraulics are
leaking, and the lavs are backing up. You
can stay up for just so long. Enjoy the
flight while you can. Better hope the foam
on the runway does its job when you return
from your high. See you next November.

I'm so PO'd by what Pelosi and her kin did last night I don't even feel like commenting any further. I've said everything I want to say, and I stand by every bit of it.

I think SteveP is right in that people DO want healthcare reform. However, the people DO NOT want government takeover. There are more ways to reform healthcare than the horrible takeover of last night, which will only hurt our country.

The Million Doc March started yesterday in Houston, Texas as the AMA held their convention. It was crashed by practicing physicians who are upset that the AMA supports a bill that has not been written. Go doc's. This democratic leadership is the gift that keeps giving for the conservative movement. ww

steveP "Um, no. You are tone deaf. The majority is for healthcare reform."

Some may be tone deaf, on the other hand YOU are dumb as a box of Krispy Kremes if you really believe a poll that IS AN OUTLIER and polls more dems than repubs has anything to do with the general population agreeing with the cabal of pelosi/reid/obama monstrosity called reform.

steveP BTW your not much on history either this is patent BS "blacks would still not have equal rights and we'd be more of a theocracy, ruled by a far right Christian fringe rather than a cross section of society."

Pssst... "Senator Strom Thurmond (D/R-SC) set a record in 1957 by filibustering the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes,[15] although the bill ultimately passed."

ww "It was crashed by practicing physicians who are upset that the AMA supports a bill that has not been written."

Screw obama and the AMA, the AMA ONLY represents 17 percent of U.S. doctors.

I'm ready to hang these asshats!