Obama’s Discussion With Republicans on Health Care Reform Goes Nowhere
by Rebekah Manning
President Obama crossed Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday to meet with Republican and Democratic members of Congress at a televised meeting in the Blair House. The purpose of the seven-hour meeting was to demonstrate a new willingness to work together to solve the country’s many problems, including health care.
The Obama health care legislation now faces its sternest test as Republicans clearly intend to hold their ground. The minority party contends health care reform is necessary but that an entirely new plan is necessary.
The President concluded the meeting with a request that Republicans work with Democrats to structure a reform bill within the next six weeks. Republicans balked at the proposal saying more time was necessary.
Health care is a huge budget item, consuming 16% of the federal budget yet leaving 48 million Americas uninsured. The meeting was great theater but served only to highlight the party’s agreement to disagree about the current legislation and any future legislation.
Members of both parties were vocal and insistent on their views. The Senate’s number two Republican, Jon Kyl said the parties, “do not agree about the fundamental question of who should be in charge of health care.” Kyl asserts Republicans want doctors to control health care, not Washington. Democrats assert the system is broken, wasteful and in need of a dramatic overhaul.
Democrats are now forced to make a difficult decision. By enacting a seldom-used legislative protocol, the Democrats currently have the votes to push the bill through the House and Senate. Obama and Senate majority leader Reid agree that the bill will not receive one Republican vote in support. By enacting the legislative anomaly, termed reconciliation, Democrats can pass the bill with a simple majority.
Basically, by not working to amend the current bill, the Republicans stand to lose the ability to have any input in the legislation. The bill on the table would cut costs, regulate insurers and expand coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.
Tags: bill, democrats, health care, obama, reform, republicans
About the Author - Rebekah Manning
Rebekah started in the Forex industry as an intern in 2001, and worked her way up the ranks to a C-level management position. She enjoys the field of trading as well as MMA fighting, shooting ranges, and action movies.
