Reid eyes tax hike on wealthy to pay for health bill

According to the AP, Hoyer said he still expects passage by late Saturday night. It seems that the Democrats have to finish some language in the bill regarding abortion funding and illegal immigrants buying HCR (as it stands they can buy private health insurance so some say they should be able to buy public insurance.) In addition it seems they're only a few votes short. President Obama is going to talk to the Democratic Caucus tomorrow and will work to solidify support for the bill.

Like what would he do or say if his PAY CHECK was delayed because of this ?????
HUH ?

That's the holdup? Illegal immigrants purchasing government sponsored health care? I can't believe that's even an issue. If you don't pay taxes you aren't eligible, period.

This is going to be a shit show.

Cool ,,,,,,, ! Lets get this show on the road & kick this thing into high gear ,,,,enough with all the bullcrap so we can get on with other stuff ! ( From what BUSH & CHENEY left it's alot of STUFF ) With or without the REPUBLICANS !

Obama in the pic: "SHIIIIIT!"

Go Go Go!! Momentum of Change!!!!!!!

Can't we just copy the UK's bill? It's been working pretty well for what, almost 70 years?

Barrack and Nancy take it to the streets. Cool headline!

Do not listen to crazy Nancy !

Why can't we see the bill online 72 hours before the vote like the Dems promised?

Trust me, this isn't news. They won't do anything meaningful.

Live coverage of the House debate. http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN_wm.aspx

So far republicans are arguing that it will raise taxes (they don't mention its for those making over 250,00 dollars). They argue that its a "destructive legislative product." Democrats are using personal stories from their constituents, and talk about rising costs.

While I agree with the need for health care overhaul, it scares the heck out of me that ordinary Americans are going to be forced to buy health care from the same crooks who caused the problem, or face exuberant fines, or even jail. That's just crazy!

Mandatory forcing people to pay for insurance, which they can not afford is just wrong! I would rather see no change than 'crazy' change. A bunch of 'rich' politicians deciding what 'we' can, or cannot afford, is soo wrong.

I agree with the need for alternative options, but if 'mandatory' is included in the language of the bill, I hope it fails. More pressure on 'ordinary Americans' is unacceptable! It's already hard enough to make ends meet, without the fear of jail, or financial ruin.

Happy talk about health care, while putting in devistating consequences is anything but 'happy' for those that will be 'forced' to pay for 'rich politicians 'happy talk'. Just say no to mandatory health care! It's just wrong!

Previous update.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is traveling to Capitol Hill on Saturday to try to close the sale on his signature health care overhaul, facing a make-or-break vote in the House certain to be seen as a test of his presidency.

Obama scheduled a late-morning visit with House Democrats convening a rare Saturday session on legislation to remake the U.S. health care system, extending coverage to tens of millions now uninsured and banning insurance company practices such as denial of coverage based on pre-existing medical problems.

Late Friday, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse blocking a vote and officials expressed optimism they had finally lined up the support needed to pass Obama's signature issue.

Under the arrangement, Democratic Reps. Bart Stupak of Michigan, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana and other abortion opponents were promised an opportunity to insert tougher restrictions into the legislation during debate on the House floor.

The leadership's hope is that no matter how that vote turns out, Democrats on both sides of the abortion divide will then unite to give the health care bill a majority over unanimous Republican opposition.

"We wish to maintain current law, which says no public funding for abortion," Stupak said. "We are not writing a new federal abortion policy."

Ellsworth added, "From day one, my goal has been to ensure federal tax dollars are not used to pay for abortions and to provide Americans with pro-life options on the exchange. And I am proud to be part of an effort to help make this goal a reality."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33748707/ns/politics-health_care_reform

Let's just get this done and move on, so we can start lambasting the bill's faults and realizing this will probably change nothing.

The vote will be a lot more lopsided when the opposition realizes it's a done deal and they won't want to be on the wrong side of history.

“Cloward-Piven Strategy” seeks to hasten the fall of capitalism by overloading the government bureaucracy with a flood of impossible demands, thus pushing society into crisis and economic collapse.

maybe this 2000 page healthcare bill is and impossible demand

FIRED UP AND READY TO GO! Lets get it done, even though it's not what I and many progressives want the bill is a good start and very similar to the start we got with Medicare and Social security. And for the NA sayers maybe it's time you move out of the country, elections have consequences and America is changing. Now if we can pull back the reigns of the military maybe we can really start taking care of Americans instead of the Corporations and the world cartel of money changers.

Go Pelosi! You're making John Boner, who looks like he drank a jar of urine for breakfast, crap his pants. He is also inciting violence from his fellow inbreeding, teabagging imbeciles.

I want health care reform, not insurance reform. Does this bill give us that? We have no way of knowing because it's still be negotiated (meaning the Dems don't have enough votes for the original version). Why enrich the insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase it? Govt health care is simple, allow anyone to enroll in medicaid.