Will Democrats Attempt Reconciliation Workaround on Healthcare Reform?
Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
by Yamileth Medina
VitalOne Health
The loss of their filibuster-proof majority has severely limited the options available for Democrats to pass healthcare reform. Some Democratic lawmakers have suggested that the House of Representatives simply accept the Senate bill in its current form. However, liberals and moderates in the House alike are crying foul over that possibility. Other leaders have recommended that the comprehensive bill be abandoned entirely, in favor of a scaled-back approach including the least controversial regulation of health insurance companies; but after initial agreement, President Obama appears to be backing away from that strategy.
How does budget reconciliation work? It is a budget-related procedure that allows a simple majority of senators to avoid a filibuster on certain types of legislation, and then amend a bill already passed. Only government spending and tax-related issues can be bypass a minority filibuster with 51, as opposed to 60, votes. The intent of reconciliation is to prevent congressional gridlock that would prevent the national government from functioning; however, its uses are limited. Other sticking points, including health insurance mandates and restrictions on taxpayer funding of subsidies for individual health insurance with abortion coverage, may not be able to be resolved through this method.
Such a maneuver could assuage the concerns of House Democrats, who may be leery that vague promises of future amendments that may not pan out; for one thing, Congress will not have much of an appetite for returning to the issue any time soon. Although Speaker Pelosi has warned that she does not have the votes for passing the current Senate bill, budget reconciliation could take into account the elements unacceptable to the House--namely, lower funding for individual health insurance subsidies and taxes on high-cost "Cadillac" health insurance plans.
Of course, going this route is not without its political risks. Months of negotiating and horse-trading among congresspersons, while common and accepted in Capitol Hill, are partly responsible for national healthcare reform leaving a bad taste in the American public's mouths. Using a relatively arcane legislative procedure to pass the bill does not counter that negative perception in their minds. Moreover, passing the bill through reconciliation will make Democrats appear even more out of touch with the nation. Specifically, they will seem to be ignoring the wishes of Massachusetts voters. That is an untenable position for Democrats seeking re-election later this year.
Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they can find quality individual health insurance right now. Yamileth lives in Miami, FL.
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