The Dems strategy is that the House would pass the Senate’s version of the bill then both chambers would approve changes under the budget reconciliation process, which could pass the Senate with a simple 51-vote majority

After 7 grueling hours of partisan lecturing it appears that health care reform is either dead, or will be passed with a minimal number of democrats voting and just barely passing the largest social program in the history of the United States.

If the President plans to use the existing House and Senate bills as a starting point for next week’s health care summit with Republican leaders next week, where do you think reform will end up?  According to recent zogby polls the Americans want Congress to start the health care debate over from scratch.

Democrats are facing the reality that continuing their ambitious politically risky bills and having nothing to show for it could result in disaster in November elections. Congressional leaders say they have no clear viable solution to pass the existing health-care reform bills at the present time.  See AP article

AP By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies are conceding for the first time that they may have to accept a less ambitious health overhaul bill than the massive one they’ve struggled for a year to assemble.
Shorn by Massachusetts voters of their pivotal 60th Senate vote and much of their political momentum, the White House and congressional leaders are considering a more modest version of Obama’s top legislative priority. It could focus on curbing insurance company practices like denying coverage to sick people and on helping low-earning people and small businesses afford coverage, officials said. Click Here

House Dems largely reject idea of passing Senate health care bill

From Dana Bash and Deirdre Walsh, CNN

Why is the artificial deadline of “before the end of the year” being imposed on a law that goes into effect 2014?  For better or worse this law will change health care in America forever.

The House vote on H.R. 3962, was 220-215 (Democrats 219 in favour, 39 against; Republicans 176 against, one for).