Obama’s plan for major healthcare reform isn’t anything new in the Senate.  Ted Kennedy tried unsuccessfully throughout his political career to fight for healthcare coverage for every American.  With Kennedy on his side, Obama made universal healthcare a key component during his campaign for President.  Politicians are now speculating whether Kennedy’s passing will hurt or help healthcare reform.

American Enterprise Institute analyst Norman Ornstein recently told CNN, "Kennedy's departure may in fact increase the chances that we get a more sweeping health care bill."  According to Ornstein, "The possibility the Democrats have of getting a bill with 60 votes now -- which requires compromising and getting Republicans -- has just gone down."   The result may be that the democrats now try to pass healthcare reform in a filibuster-proof reconciliation bill.  (Read the full CNN article on healthcare at http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/27/kennedy.health.care/index.html )

Reconciliation in the Senate requires only 51 votes to overcome a filibuster, compared to 60 votes needed for most legislation.  With only 51 votes needed, the Democrats could still outnumber the republicans, even with Ted Kennedy’s voice silenced.  In an attempt to pass the bill through reconciliation, the bill may be changed to reflect a more partisan bill, increasing its chances of success in the Senate.

In his interview with CNN, Ornstein remarked, “If Democrats nevertheless resort to reconciliation they would be "sorely tempted" to include the kind of government-funded public health insurance option favored by Kennedy and the rest of the party's liberal base.”  Ironically, after many years of battling the Senate, Ted Kennedy’s battle may finally be helped by his untimely death.

The Wall Street Journal is also buzzing about a possible reconciliation attempt by the democrats.  In a recent article online, the WSJ reports that, “The White House and Senate Democratic leaders, seeing little chance of bipartisan support for their health-care overhaul, are considering a strategy shift that would break the legislation into two parts and pass the most expensive provisions solely with Democratic votes.”    According to the WSJ article, many Republicans are outraged.  Sen. Olympia Snowe (R., Maine) said, "At a time when we need to bolster the public's confidence in whatever we do with health care, I don't think the reconciliation process will serve the purpose of providing affordable health security for all Americans.” To read more of the Wall Street Journal article, visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125072573848144647.html

Should Democrats attempt a reconciliation in order to pass their proposed healthcare reform?

Consumers are invited to share their thoughts online at http://www.governmenthealthcarefacts.com , a new website that allows consumers to discuss national and local healthcare issues by way of virtual town hall style meetings.