Senate Democrats plan to unveil healthcare bill

Reuters ^ | 11/18/09 | John Whitesides

[Jeb21]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid prepared to unveil long-awaited healthcare overhaul legislation on Wednesday, with the first test vote on the package expected by the end of the week.

The healthcare reform bill, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, has been delayed in the Senate for weeks as Reid waited for cost estimates and searched for an approach that can win the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican procedural hurdles.

Senate Democrats have scheduled a 5 p.m. EST meeting in which Reid will brief them on the bill, and on the cost estimates provided by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

The bill's release would clear the way for a vote on Friday or Saturday by the full chamber on whether to proceed to debate on the measure -- the first key procedural hurdle for the Senate plan.

[444Flyer]

Here it comes.

[444Flyer]

"Of course it was written BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!

While they floated news stories that it was DOA."

THEY LIE!!!

[Mrs. Don-o]

They do NOT have the votes. We can push on the Dem wobblies, and this bill will screech to a halt.

---

ACTION ALERT ON THE SENATE NOW

---

A mere handful of wobbling Democratic Senators must be persuaded to stop, block, filibuster, the Health Care Reform. The following are considered key Senators: people who will go either way.

Reid has NO margin for error: he has to get ALL 60 Dems in order to put the bill on the floor.

Here's the key concept: Urge these Senators to Vote No on any "procedural vote" to "move to the health bill."

This will happen Friday or Saturday!
We don't want the bill even to make it to the floor!

---

Click! Click! Click!
Clickable U.S. Senate Constituent Message Links

---

Here’s info you can use if you need local constituent city and zip codes to get past their email message filters.

---

Ben Nelson (D NE)
Strong abortion opponent …Against Big Government, the "public option"…Fiscal conservative…Quote: "Faced with a decision about whether or not to move a bill that is bad, I won't vote to move it," he told ABC News. "For sure."
Use: City Omaha, Zip Code 68108 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (402)

Blanche Lincoln (D Ark)
Member of the Senate Finance Committee…Voted twice against making the "public option" part of the bill…Facing tough re-election, eager to display her conservative credentials in a state that was handily carried by Sen. John McCain… probably won't even agree to let the bill be debated on the Senate floor.
Use: City Little Rock, Zip Code 72291 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (501)

Joe Lieberman (I CT)
Independent but caucuses with the Democrats… has threatened to filibuster against public option. ..Quote: “I would use the power I have as a single senator to stop a final vote," he said in a recent televised interview.
Use City Hartford, Zip Code 06160 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (860)

Sen. Susan Collins (R Maine)
Could go either way…One of just three Republican lawmakers to cross party lines and vote for the Recovery Act (a.k.a. Federal Stimulus Package) …voted in favor of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2)…but although pro-“reform”, she is on record as being against (quote) "billions of dollars in new taxes and fees that will drive up the cost of health insurance premiums." The whole bill should be re-written, Collins said, according to the New York Times.
Use City Augusta, Zip Code 04330 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (207)

Robert Casey (D PA)
On record as an opponent of abortion, from a very pro-life district…
Use City Erie, Zip Code 16501 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (814)

Evan Bayh (D IN)
Concerned about tax on medical-device makers in the current legislation…Indiana is the third-biggest state for jobs in the medical device sector, with currently some 63,000 Indiana residents working in that field….Quote: "I want to know what works for families and small businesses."
Bayh says medical devices fee would "seriously threaten thousands of American jobs and deter innovation in the industry."
Use city Indianapolis, Zip Code 46201 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (317)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D LA)
Often “on the fence” about issues…Mixed voting record on Abortion, rated 43% by NARAL (pro-abortion) and 50% by NRLC (pro-life)…Favors letting some states try "trigger" mechanisms that would create a public option if residents don't have enough insurance choices (needs to be vehemently argued out of this fallback position)…Quote "I'm not for a government-run, national, taxpayer-subsidized plan, and never will be."
Use city New Orleans, Zip Code 70141 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (504)

Roland Burris (D IL)
A bit quirky and cantankerous, Burris' willingness to bend could prove crucial if Reid needs every possible vote in crafting a compromise, such as a national public option that is triggered if certain insurance availability targets aren't met. Or might favor a public option “offered by states, not feds.” Or “might” be pushed to favor no on the bill altogether. Push him to say NO, JUST NO! At age 72, Burris has virtually nothing to lose by defying his party's leaders and voting as he pleases.
Use city Kankakee, Zip Code 60901 (plus any 4 digits), Area Code (815)

---

Reid does not plan on keeping the "Stupak-Pitts" pro-life amendment in the Senate version of the bill. He is expected to take up the House bill, and then replace it with a "Senate substitute" which will fund elective abortions. He is also in hot water about the "public option," with some Dem Senators saying they won't vote for the bill WITH public option, and some (on the Left) saying they won't vote for the bill WITHOUT it.

This is our chance to stop it dead.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Reid talking now. The American people have spoken and the Senate is deaf and dumb! The dimlylits are going to break us!

[McLynnan]

Good gosh, he has NO speaking skills. Of course, it’s hard to speak well when you’re spouting B.S. Haha, Fox just cut him off.

[Txsleuth]

This is all one big con job, lies, all lies.

Look at the stage...only a couple of those people were even in the room.

I heard that each state will be REQUIRED to offer a policy with abortion coverage.

[screaminsunshine]

Yep. They sacrifice us so the Crats won’t have health care for an issue anymore. Then whine cause we won’t support RINOS. Ughhh! They make me sick.

[cranked]

I smell us getting screwed over with delight if this mass of garbage makes it to conference.

[Wisconsinlady]

Reid is standing there telling us the CBO is now saying it will cost $849B, but won’t add ONE DIME to the deficit. I hope this bold-faced liar rots in hell.

[lionheart 247365]

Thanks !!!

[Prince of Space]

So when we call and they ask for our info, we just make up an address but use the cities and area codes you gave us for the rest of it? Do we make up a name too or use our own? And do they have caller ID in congressional offices?

Mrs. Prince of Space

[Mrs. Don-o]

You’re welcome! NOW IS THE TIME! Please send it around to everybody you can think of, and “encourage” them to get on task. Or should I say “incite”! :o)

[Mrs. Don-o]

Here's how I do it. These are not phone calls, these are Constituent Message System e-mails. When you click on the link, fill out all the info with your real anme and street address, but give the "local" city, state, and zip.

If they do not require a phone number, don't give a phone number. The "local" info just gets you through any possible local-constituent filter.

If you prefer to do the whole thing with your true address info, that's OK too. But sometimes they filter for "local" and put out-of-state messages at the end of the line, and it's all such a rush, we don't have time to deal with that.

Any more questions?

[italianquaker]

I hope your right but skeezy reid will go nuclear. Nevertheless the GOP better give them NO political cover.
This is going to pass just like the house

[SeattleBruce]

cost estimates provided by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
BS...how many “meetings” have they had with Owebama and/or Rahm.

+++++++++++++++++

Notice how it came in just a few dozen billions (what’s that between friends?) shy of $900 B. Yeah, coordinated effort. Who knows, if they come out with a revision that’s over $1T - mebbe, I’ll believe there’s some shred of non-partisanship there, but not until then.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Keep on pushing. We're rteally, REALLY close and Reid can't afford to lose even one Dem. Pick a target from the list, and send about 30 letters.

Sometimes it helps if you have Multiple Personality Syndrome :o)

[Txsleuth]

Heard on Fox News that the bill is 2074 pages.

[SeattleBruce]

2999,they will want to keep it under 3000.
+++++++++++++

Right. *That’s* vital.

[lionheart 247365]

Done deal ,,,, again thanks ........

[Typical_Whitey]

THIS IS WHAT I SENT TO BEN NELSON (NE)

Everyday when I drive to work I look out at the vast openess of our beautiful state and I thank God that my childern and theirs will live in freedom here. My concern is that the current Healthcare reform bill being debated in Congress is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back, fiscally speaking, and that a vast entitlement that currently doesn’t exist will be handed out to the masses. I teach my children as I know you must teach yours that we make our way in this world through honest hard work, courage and commitment, a trillion dollars is inexcuasably expensive to muck up the best heatlh care system on the planet. Senator don’t make my children debtors, please keep them free. Vote no on this monstrosity. We are counting on you.