"They would like for us to start over...We're talking about--as leader Boehner said and Senator McConnell said -- Let's start over." (MSNBC)

 

The White House health care summit was billed as a time for lawmakers to come together and create health care solutions. But critics in the media say both sides spent most of the day repeating partisan talking points. 

 

So where does Congress go from here?

 

We’re looking at PBS, FOX News, CNN, The Daily Loaf, and CBS.

 

After the lengthy debate, CNN's David Gergen says there’s still no hope for bipartisan agreement on the bill. 

 

GERGEN: "Any idea of a grand bargain or compromise between the Republicans and the Democrats is now gone... So what is now left is whether the president and the Democrats are going to use this so-called process of reconciliation to try to pass a comprehensive bill." 

 

Supporters of reform argue Democrats should turn the process of reconciliation to push the bill forward. Reconciliation requires just 51 votes, rather than a 60-vote majority in the Senate.

 

But a Daily Loaf blog post argues it’s not the Senate where the bill will face the greatest opposition.

 

“… the big question … is can House Speaker Nancy Pelosi get 218 votes in the House of Representatives?  That’s not looking so great right now, because the bill as supported by Obama earlier this week does not include the Stupak Amendment regarding funding for abortions.  This was a big deal that barely got the bill passed last fall through the House.”

 

On PBS, Bill Halperin agrees, saying with sticking points like that, Democrats need to figure out how to get their own party on board.

 

HALPERIN: "… can they do something legislatively that jams through an all Democratic bill that’s still very big and move on. Can they convince those conservative Democrats in the House and some in the Senate that it’s better to move on having passed something unpopular but historically important as opposed to failing?"

 

FOX News rounded up a bipartisan focus group to gage the public's appetite for reconciliation.

 

LUNTZ: “How many of you want to see the Democrats use reconciliation to get health care passed? Raise your hands.”

LUNTZ: “One, two, three of you. How many of you will be angry at the Democrats if they use reconciliation?”

 

And though many see reconciliation as the only option, others say there is a plan B. A watered-down bill could be created that would give health care to fewer Americans.  But Politico’s Mike Allen tells CBS Democrats won't shrink the bill anytime soon.

 

"It will only be if they get some huge red flag that they might pause and try and figure out something else to do. But in my sounding this morning, there is no appetite for going--What could be considered plan B, but is really plan Z according to how they are describing it."

 

 

Writer: Chelsea Donohoe


 

Politics News

Democrats Rethink Health Care Strategy

February 26, 2010
(2:44)
President Obama’s health care summit leaves Washington without a solid solution for health care reform.
   
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