Why is this an all or nothing game?
- Pass what we can through the Lieberman Senate
- Use Reconciliation to get the Medicare Buy-in
See below.
Why kill the bill? There are a lot of great things in this bill, but unfortunately there is still a lot that we would love to be in the bill that will not get past Lieberman.... so, it is time to get creative.
I am beginning to agree with Rham, give Lieberman what he wants, hell give Snowe what she wants... but don't cave on women's health rights. Pass what we can now!
then... Use Reconciliation to get the Medicare Buy-in By using reconciliation for the Medicare Buy-in we could most likely go even more progressive. Like Medicare Buy-in for all, 2010 for over 60, 2011 for over 55, 2012 for over 50, 2013 for over 45 and so on. If my memory serves me right, since Medicare is an existing program, using reconciliation to expand it is perfectly legal and in the scope of what reconciliation was meant for.
Getting the bulk of the bill through the Lieberman Senate is a good thing. I was really enlightened by Atul Gawande article in the New Yorker comparing Health Care Reform to Agricultural reform at the turn of the last century. If you haven't read it, it is worth a read. All about how pilot programs were used quickly change how our nation farmed.