First "Gang Of Six" Member Backs Reconciliation For Health Care

A Democratic member of the "Gang of Six" senators charged with finding a bipartisan solution to health care reform said at a town hall Monday that he would support using the budget reconciliation process to push a bill through the Senate if necessary.

Reconciliation is a parliamentary procedure that would allow Democrats to pass health care reform with 51 votes, meaning the party could do it without any Republican support.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico has been one of three Democrats participating in the widely-watched Finance Committee negotiations. His willingness to consider reconciliation is another sign that a a genuine bipartisan deal may be impossible.

"We made a provision in the budget resolution [earlier this year] that it could be used to try to enact health care provisions related to health care reform," Bingaman said. "There are restrictions to what you can include in that...but I would support it if that's the only way."

Non-budget-related items typically can't be passed using reconciliation, but Democrats are eying ways that would allow them to include those provisions, as well. Reconciliation would be a difficult legislative path to walk, but it raises pressure on Republicans who are considering supporting the Democratic effort. If Democrats go it alone, those Republicans, such as Maine's Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins, would be left out of the process.

Bingaman's support of reconciliation was first reported by the New Mexico Independent and can be seen at the one hour mark here.

Comments

[jc747]

Beware Obama’s CBO bomb! I predict that he will set it off after September 15th (the Senate Finance Committee’s deadline). He will simply ask the CBO this question: “According to your reckoning, which would bend the cost curve HARDER over five or ten years; “the public option”, or “the co-ops”, or “the status quo”, or some other idea? Whoever wins, simply for the sake of our national debt, let THAT be the new “status quo” until something better comes along, OK?”. It is just that simple! (Personally, I'd bet the first one would win). Next thing is though, we’ll have to be on the lookout for Obama using the “scientific consensus” bomb, or the “Jesus Christ said” bomb and claiming those weren’t his fault either. Genius, simply genius!

[Thing3]

"Reconciliation is a parliamentary procedure that would allow Democrats to pass health care reform with 51 votes, meaning the party could do it without any Republican support."

They had 60 votes in the senate and a majority in the house! They could have done it all along without any republican support! There a few democrats that would rather cram this through the reconciliation process to save their own @ss instead of unifying with their party. It would be much better for the party if they passed health care reform with their 60 vote majority (assuming a democratic replacement for Sen. Kennedy) rather then through reconciliation.

[FreedomBeforeSecurity]

The problem is Democrats DON"T have 60 votes... not directly. We have to count on Bernie Sanders (I).. which is reliable, but we also must count Lieberman.

He's frankly just shy of declaring he's a Republican.

Now Poor Teddy's dead, and what little chance of compromise we had is out the window.

Bring on the reconciliation!! At least this way we can have a strong public option!!

[Thing3]

I agree, bring on the reconciliation if that's what we need to do.

My point is that, if the democrats would stick together (+ Bernie), we have the votes. I just wanted to point out the selfishness of the democrats that would rather see this get pushed through via reconciliation then just voting for the bill. They want it both ways. They want the bill to pass but not with their vote.

[smithonpolitics-com]

Good. Let's keep up public pressure for reform! http://www.stopbackingdown.com - Let them hear us!

[mi]

Encouraging news, hopefully voter pressure will change a few more
minds.

[HitnMyths]

I still think when Dems present a bill they are united ENOUGH behind they'' ll suddenly pick up 8-10
Reptilican votes in the House with maybe three R Senators voting just enough to look for some credit later on. Their are bluedog Repub - don 't know where - ask Nate Silver -- when this healthcare bill has enough steam and it looks inevitable these public servants will see the writing and vote for it. Suddenly these few Repubs will become the point man for Repubs on Health Care. These are practical folk and if you represent a tossup district - it's a real possibility. You're in the minority now, Repub leadership can't punish you much.

[HitnMyths]

Maybe Kennedy's death will give a couple " Repub statesmen" the political and emotional cover to
support the sensible, world wide approved system of healthcare - 1/2 the cost,longerlife. Maybe
Orrin Hatch and John McCain, Snowe(she's gotta turn in Maine), Burr maybe. Maybe they'll seize the
opportunity to step above the mud and muck and try to do what's best for the country. Maybe they'll
bring that pencil neck Lieberman with them. Maybe.... Maybe... Mayb.. Naaaaaaah

[otalp]

"Repub statesmen"..Isn't that an oxymoron?

[evilzed]

Push this bill through at your peril, the protesters are made up of concerned Dems AND Repubs.
The people who will eventually be paying through the nose with what they have left, if theres anything left when Obamas banker buddies have finished with us anyway.

[Iccarus]

For all the things you're tax dollars pay for, why would you not want to get some kind of basic health coverage? Please, on this day, do you have to use words like "peril" and "finished" to try to scare people?

[H321]

No, not doing anything will be your peril. When your coverage doubles and triples in 20 years when you need a new hip. You and all the other loonies can cry and weep about what tools your were for the insurance industries.

[WritusMaximus]

Worse, when these very NO proponents get a NO from their insurance companies!

[Roto]

you are a tool! nothing more to say! I guess you prefer the insurance companies raping the people and taking all of the benefits and that the "free" market will fix things. The problem is that the "free" market only exists for profits, they can write off losses, cut out on taxes and continue to make tons of cash while the average person gets denied for a $600 MRI exam, that's your preference I'm sure, as I said before, you're a tool!

[otalp]

Please don't reform healthcare. I love it when the insurance co's deny treatment and drop coverage when one gets bad sick. I love it when one loses his or her ins when they change jobs. And don't even talk about pre existing conditions which kept me from getting ins until medicare. But then that is an evil gov plan. I had better drop out and try to buy private ins. Lots of luck with that. US has the best deal in the world for the rich. That's the best way. The rest of you can just die.

[ltyler01]

The opposition said the same thing about social security. The opposition said the same thing about medicare. The opposition said the same thing about the civil rights bill.

I've read some posts from the opposition that they'd be fine with premiums rising to over $20,000 in 10 years without reform..... Unbelievable....

What employer is going to pay these ridiculous costs? Yours? Or if you own a business, you'll be dumping your workers coverage. If your an employee, you'll get dumped by your employer.

You talk about paying through the nose for health care?

Nothing in your post gives any hint for a solution. That's precisely what we've come expect from your side.

Nothing but senseless rants

[capitaldysfunction]

Reconciliation equals democracy. No wonder it drives the Senate Rethugs nuts. They represent the cows and the pigs and the chickens in the hinterland; it is not about the American people with these guys.

[Gatorray11]

Why should they care? They have the public option for themselves. How much did the best socialized medicine cost to keep Dick Cheney alive during the Bushista years? And we know Tricky Dickey II never served. He was a five-deferment Chicken Hawk during the Vietnam War.

[JJenius]

Would someone please tell me why the Senate has so many rules? It guarantees that nothing ever gets done. This group would compromise the shape of the wheel if they had to vote on it. Nothing in the U.S. Constitution says anything about filibustering or having to get 6 old gray dudes in a some committee to agree or block anything they want. Stop this total nonsense and vote! The only rule should be that the majority rules! And who cares what Rebublicans think. Like do they?

[Blakely]

To Sen. Bingaman, I say congratulations for thinking for yourself and respecting people of your state.

[AtomicallyCorrect]

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES PEOPLE!!!

If we don't do our part we won't get squat!

callcongress.org

[Murat Aksu]

Who would not want affordable and universal coverage for all Americans. It is a no brainer.

[Shiral]

I sure want it!

Let's just leave the Republicans out of it if they refuse to contribute anything constructive. Which they have so far absolutely failed to do. We're the Majority Party And if one of the Republicans tries to take ANY credit for having passed Health Care, shred 'em. My senators and Rep Anna Eshoo know where I stand, by now.

Very simply PASS HEALTH CARE WARTS AND ALL, NOW

[jsayler]

Reconciliation is a must NOW. We need to have a public option which forces the insurance companies to rethink the outlandish compensation packages the pay their executives. Profits may need to be redistributed from their pockets to the service providers and recipients.

This is just wrong to keep going on expecting change from the wrong-wing party. It ain't gonna happen so get on with it.

In memory of a great proponent of health care reform (Sen. Ted Kennedy)--ACT!

Individuals who have employer based insurance need to contemplate just what they would do should they become sick for an extended period of time and all of their leave runs out (no sick or vacation pay). How will they pay their premiums?

Will they end up like that poor woman at the GOP townhall looking for answers noly to hear that the neighbors should be taking care of them--hell even churches don't take care of their parrishinors- how can they expect neighbors that probably don't know them or can hardly afford to take care of their own families? Is this truly the republican response? It is indeed heart-wrenching to think how cold they can be!

[Gatorray11]

1. These liars told us Medicare will not work.

2. They called Social Security socialism.

3. They called "family leave" socialism.

4. They opposed minimum wage.

5. Thye think a public option for themselves and the best socialized medicine for Tricky Dickey II is great.

[jemborg]

Wow! I'm a freedom loving Aussie and I find this paranoia over decent pubic health care amazing.

We've had it for almost 30 years.

I've expounded on this in many of Huffo's threads but let me simply say... America you deserve better, do not believe the Conservative lies.

NB: It took two goes in my country to get universal Medicare established. The Conservatives got rid of it when they got voted back in. The Labor Party re-established it at the next election after that. And although they have undermined it every time they got back into power the Conservatives don't dare try to get rid of it again. What I am getting at here is you have to push HARD for it- it's NOT going to happen through bi-partisanship.

[Mihailo]

Thanks for the post, jemborg. It's good to get international perspective. You're right.

[capitaldysfunction]

Yeah, good post jemborg. It is amazing that the most vulnerable and uninformed in America can be mobilized so easily to scream "Down with affordable health care!" One big caveat though: you have a parliamentary democracy that enables the party in power to get things done.

[jemborg]

Damn straight!

:)

[HSans]

I say that Howard Dean has been nothing but consistent and civil in presenting his views on this issue. A principled man. Pres Obama is going to owe Gov Dean big time once these changes to health insurance is passed..

Like Howard Dean said (I paraphrase): Republicans seem to be able to criticize. Fact is they can't govern.

We need responsible people who can govern. Any fool can criticize - and usually does..

[friscosf]

When is he GOING TO TELL OBAMA ??

WHY is OBAMA STALLING ??

GET ON WITH IT !
Pass HCR with a PUBLIC OPTION !
There's NO EXCUSE not to

Don't try to be President Good Vibes, President Obama
DON'T try to be the Republicans' Friend
IT WON'T WORK !

PASS HCR With a Public Option !!

[westsidegal310]

and, may i add to your advice to obama?

also,
don't make secret back office deals with big PHARMA and then try to deny what you did!

the words coming from the white house, from emanuel and sibelius and obama are not passing the 'smell test.'