MEDIA: HEALTHCARE REFORM DOOMED

January 17, 2010 by Andrew17

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MEDIA: HEALTHCARE REFORM DOOMED

The media will have you believe if Martha Coakley loses the special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday, healthcare reform is lost forever….. Now, I totally get the big deal about the democrats losing their super majority / filibuster proof advantage if Martha Coakley loses on Tuesday. Believe me, I’m not fool. But the notation that Healthcare reform will die is LAUGHABLE. Why you ask? Well the Democrats have three different avenues to pass the Healthcare Reform Bill even if Martha Coakley loses.

#1. This is the most likely scenario. If Martha Coakley loses on Tuesday the House of Representative will adopt the Senate version of the bill and pass it as is on…..Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Most people don’t know if the House adopts the Senate bill as it is today the Senate isn’t required to vote on the bill again……..Thus, once the House passes the bill the President signs it………….Problem solved!

#2. This is the second most likely scenario. If Martha Coakley loses on Tuesday the democrats will turn to the two most moderate Republicans in the Senate and augment the bill to get their votes. I guess you’re wondering who those Senators are. It’s Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins of Maine. And last time I checked Maine voters support healthcare reform 3 to 2. And remember, Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins both voted for closure to end the debate about a month ago. In addition, Olympia J. Snowe is the Republican Senator who advocated for the so called Public Option Trigger. Maybe if the trigger was in the bill she would be willing to vote for it?

#3. This is the most least likely scenario. The Democrats start all over and begin with reconciliation. They will only need a 50% plus 1 simple majority in either the House or Senate. This of course means the debate will need to begin again and start from scratch. With mid-term elections coming this November that’s not likely to happen.

Since I’m not an egotistical psycho, I recognize I could be wrong and if Martha Coakley loses there is a small chance healthcare reform could be lost forever.

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