On November 21, 2009, the Senate voted to advance Obama’s landmark healthcare bill to full debate, including votes on various amendments, after Thanksgiving. The bill will require the majority of Americans to have insurance and offer government aid to those who couldn’t afford it. Large companies and corporations would be required to provide healthcare coverage to their employees. The bill would also create extensive regulation of the insurance industry, including banning the practice of denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Congress’ budget analysis of the new legislation puts costs at $1 trillion over 10 years. Furthermore, the new plan includes a public health insurance option, a dividing and controversial issue.
The House approved one version of the bill earlier in November, and Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid (D-Nevada), hopes to pass the Senate’s version by the end of the year. Many Senate Democrats and Obama administration officials are appealing to select Senate Republicans to try to win their support. The main two Senators that Democrats are reaching out to are moderate Republicans, Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Olympia Snow (R-Maine). Even GOP leaders have conceded that Saturday’s victory implicated that the bill might ultimately pass. However, some of the senators who reluctantly voted yes on the advancement of the bill have stated not to promise to cooperate if the bill is later filibustered. Both of these weaknesses in the bill’s cause, the moderate Republicans and the wavering democratic supporters, will cause the Democrats and independents to create joint amendments and continue to compromise.
All the compromises and amendments force us to ask the question, what does the public think about the new healthcare bill? According to a Washington Post poll, 57% of Americans support having the government create a new health insurance plan. We all know that Congress is by no means an entirely plebisitary body, however, making a move to pass this legislation, even including major amendments in hopes of winning Republicans, would be an act in favor of public opinion.