Good question. The answer is that they couldn't. Because it's a Reconciliation Bill, the Consitution demands that it originate in the House. Therefor, the House will pass the Reconciliation Bill, then the Senate will pass the Reconciliation Bill, then the House will pass the original Senate bill.
This is perfectly fine - although something of a Parliamentary sleight of hand, so long as the President signs the original Senate bill (passed by both houses of Congress), the he signs the Reconciliation bill (again, passed by both houses).
"Is the "bill" that zippy will offer up tomorrow actually what he wants the senate modifications to look like? "
Precisely. Although it was announced as something different, as a practical matter this is Obama's blue print with respect to what the Reconciliation Bill should look like.
"and most important, what happens if the house does pass the senate bill as is..."
As I pointed out above, they will actually pass the original Senate bill "as is", but not before both Houses pass the Reconciliation Bill.
"Has any piece of legislation ever been this convoluted?"
Legislation has passed some 22 (or so) times using Reconciliation. But, NEVER for something this big and socially impacting, and never with this legislative sleight of hand. The Dems have proven themselves to be formidable foes. Hopefully, it's a lesson not soon forgotten by the GOP.
Thank you so much for that clear explanation of this mess. As you explain it, it seems that our hopes and prayers need to center on House defections.
"Reconciliation" is to be used ONLY for votes on budget resolutions -yes? The Democrats and media are telling the American peoples that the confiscation of their health insurance (in order to give it away to others) is a "budgetary" issue.
Either you use 60 votes for this kind of massive policy vote, or you don't.
Everything else is rubbish.