Healthcare Debate Shrouded in Secrecy

(Thumbnail image:The Washington Post)

“They have a 60 vote majority and they need every single one of them to get this job done and they don’t have every single one of them.  That’s part of the reason why the president is heading up to Capitol Hill.  He wants to rally behind closed doors with Democrats and urge party unity on issues like the public option.” (MSNBC)

Healthcare reform is hung up by disputes amongst Senate Democrats.  The holdup?  Cuts to Medicare, abortion funding, and the controversial public option.  Now President Obama is stepping in to move his own party’s stalemate.

We’re taking a look whether the closed-door debate will make a difference with perspectives from MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, The Huffington Post and Townhall.

First up—Fox News’ Caroline Shively says the president’s Sunday visit with Senate Dems is to raise support of a bill that’s still taking shape.

“Most of what is being negotiated behind the scenes is shaping up to be a massive omnibus bill called the Manager’s Amendment, but that will take some time to put together.  We don’t expect that to emerge today, but definitely negotiating it behind closed doors.”

CNN’s Dana Bash says the Senate’s weekend session portrays an image of earnestness but actually serves a more practical purpose. 

“The real reason, frankly, why the Senators were in session were [sic] to keep them in here and in meetings in private, behind closed doors.  And the big issues they’re debating is Democrat on Democrat.  And the whole question of whether or not there will be a public option, a government-run health insurance option in this bill.”

The Huffington Post reports negotiations center on centrist Democrats.  And right now, an alternative to the public option might be gaining ground.

“…A leading proposal involves increasing the ability of the Office of Personnel Management -- which oversees the federal employee health plans -- to negotiate on behalf of individuals and small businesses. …It does little, however, to answer liberals' demands for a nationwide public option.”

Conservative blog Townhall points out the Democratic deadlock is keeping Congress from working on other must-pass bills.

“More than two months into the 2010 budget year, Congress has sent to the president only five of the 12 annual spending bills. That means that defense, justice, health, education and transportation programs are still being funded at last year's levels under a temporary measure that expires Dec. 18.”

So do you think the Democrats are making real progress in secret?  Or is healthcare reform in critical condition?

Writer: Chance Seales

Producer: Jess Blumenshield