Liberals Near Revolt Over Health Care Deal

Moderates don't want to spend risky votes on legless progressive bill

(NEWSER) - House Democrats on both ends of the spectrum are feeling sorry for themselves as they struggle to shape a final health care reform bill. The bill is widely expected—based in no small part on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s proclamations—to include a public option, a tax on wealthy Americans, and a strict employer mandate. But, Politico notes, since their bill is likely to be reshaped to resemble the Senate’s compromise bill, they're wondering what the point is of taking stands that could hurt them with voters. More»

Progressives actually provided most of the votes

(NEWSER) - Lately the left has been taking its lumps, courtesy of the conventional wisdom that health care reform passed over liberals’ objections. That’s just plain incorrect, writes Tom Schaller for FiveThirtyEight . A lingering narrative holds that liberals can’t govern because the left is so unmanageable. But progressives provided most of the votes for health care. “They were its progenitors and protectors.” More»

As finance committee votes, caucus divided on how to fund reform

(NEWSER) - The Senate Finance Committee is poised to send its bill to the full legislature today, but its provision taxing "Cadillac" insurance plans is raising hackles in the House. Max Baucus and other senators say taxing high-cost plans will raise $200 billion, a quarter of the legislation's price tag, and keep costs down over time. But House members and union leaders say the tax burden will trickle down to workers and the middle class. Nancy Pelosi opposes the tax, as do two-thirds of House Democrats. More»

Nancy Pelosi still wants it in House-Senate compromise

(NEWSER) - As health care reform chugs through the Senate Finance Committee, Mike Madden checks in on the prospects for a public option and finds it's not quite dead yet. A big test comes today when the committee votes on amendments from supporters of the public option, such as Jay Rockefeller. "Don't count it out," says Chuck Schumer, sounding not exactly like his usual "bulldog" self, notes Madden, writing for Salon. More»

Health care takes center stage in 'consequential' recess

(NEWSER) - With health care reform hanging in the balance, the August congressional recess is likely to be a lot less relaxing than usual, writes Glenn Thrush in Politico. What to watch:

1. Health insurers’ response to Nancy Pelosi’s singling them out as the "bad guys" on soaring health care costs. Will we see a counterattack like the “Harry and Louise” ads of the Clinton era?
2. President Obama’s approval rating. If his numbers keep falling, it will make it tough for Dems “to sell anything.”