Health Care Bill Still Alive?

Depending on which Sunday talk show you watched, the health care bill may still be alive.  As expected the bill started to stall after Senator Scott Brown won the Senate seat in Massachusetts just two weeks ago. However, since the President’s State of the Union Address, Congress somehow has gotten renewed energy and is hopeful of passing a bill in 2010.

It is unlikely that either the current version of the Senate or House bill will pass as they are today. It has been suggested that Democrats should take their time on a bill and not rush it through like they’ve done in the past. They would be wise to heed what has been suggested.  In fact, we think that revised health care legislation proposals will now focus more on specific reforms, rather than a comprehensive bill. Such reforms could include provisions such as limiting rising costs, getting rid of pre-existing condition clauses and preventing loss of health coverage for those that fall ill.

While this may appear to be the more likely and less dangerous route, some senior Democrats are working on convincing hesitant lawmakers to back a more comprehensive plan. There is again an effort on rallying House Democrats to support the bill approved by the Senate, while persuading Senate Democrats to approve legislation using budget procedures that disallow filibusters.  But reality will set in and with mid-term elections looming, a more cautious effort will most likely be pursued.

For now, we continue to wait and see.  While we think there is still a high likelihood we may see reform in 2010, we still don’t know when or how much.  While the American people may have sent a message that they do not like the way that the debate has been handled, they no doubt are not willing to drop all efforts entirely. A bill with popular specific health care provisions may take care of this.  Like I have said before, only time will tell.