Historic Legislation a Major Victory for President Obama

by Glynn Wilson

In a vote of historic proportions for the future of the middle class in the United States, the House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion national health care plan in a rare Saturday night session, 220-215.

The bill, which now moves over to the Senate where another close, tough vote is expected, is designed to overhaul private insurance practices and guarantee affordable, comprehensive coverage to almost every American citizen.

Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) hopes to bring a measure to the floor before Thanksgiving, where the fight will focus on whether the public option should include an “opt out” clause for states, as Reid has proposed. The alternative is to require employers to provide coverage to their workers, or a less punitive approach preferred by Senate moderates. There will also be a debate over whether to tax the rich and/or high-cost health-care policies, a provision economists call the most important for controlling costs that could contribute to the deficit.

During a special trip to the Capitol to push the legislation that could be a hallmark of his presidency, President Obama urged the Democrats still wavering to put aside their political fears and embrace the bill’s ambitious objectives.

“Opportunities like this come around maybe once in a generation,” he said. “This is our moment to live up to the trust that the American people have placed in us. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. This is our moment to deliver.”

The House legislation would for the first time require every individual to obtain insurance, and would require all but the smallest employers to provide coverage to their workers. It would vastly expand Medicaid and create a new marketplace where people could obtain federal subsidies to buy insurance from private companies or from a new government-run insurance plan, according to the Washington Post.

Though some people would receive no benefits — including about 6 million illegal immigrants, according to congressional estimates — the bill would virtually close the coverage gap for people who do not have access to health-care coverage through their jobs.

“For generations, the American people have called for affordable, quality health care for their families,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said before the vote. “Today, the call will be answered.”

Pelosi needed 218 of 258 Democrats to pass the bill, so a compromise was reached on an amendment to bar coverage of abortions in the public plan.

Birmingham Congressman Artur Davis, who wants to be the first black governor of Alabama, as well as Blue Dawg Democrat Parker Griffith of Huntsville, were among only 39 Democrats to vote against the bill.

The only Republican to vote for it was Joseph Cao of Louisiana, who represents New Orleans. All the Republicans from Alabama voted against it.

Sparks Urges Davis ‘To Do the Right Thing’ and Vote FOR the Bill

by Glynn Wilson

After receiving a pep talk from President Obama, House Democrats cleared a key procedural hurdle Saturday in the debate over expanding the nation’s health care system, setting the stage for a day long debate and an evening vote that could push the legislation across a historic threshold by midnight Saturday night, according to news sources in DC.

The House voted 242 to 192 to approve the rules of the health care debate, a vote that officially permits the chamber to proceed to the substantive merits of the legislation, according to the Washington Post. If all goes smoothly on the House floor, Democrats may be hours away from delivering on Obama’s chief domestic policy goal, by approving a 1,990-page bill that would require individuals to buy health coverage and would create an individual insurance market to provide affordable policies for people who do not receive health benefits through their employers.

House Passes Key Hurdle on Health-Care Legislation

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TV Lineup and Lines Below

Time Out
by Dan Rutledge

What’s happening in the world of SEC football? Well, for one thing, there will be a national quarter-final game played in Tuscaloosa.

The winner of the LSU vs. Alabama contest Saturday on CBS will win the SEC Western Division and with that a spot in the SEC Championship Game against Florida, which is already penciled in as the Eastern Division champion. And everybody knows the winner of the Florida-Alabama (or Florida-LSU) title game will claim a spot in the BCS finale.

Undefeated and rested Alabama (8-0, 5-0), coming off a bye week with all minor bumps and bruises healed, is a slight favorite (Line: Alabama by 8) against an LSU (7-1, 4-1) squad that has struggled on offense at times — like the Crimson Tide — and looked sharp at time — like Alabama — but has found a way to win — like Alabama — in every game but one, a close loss to top-ranked Florida.

Most observers think it will come down to the defenses, which have saved victories for both teams this season. This could be another of those close, low-scoring games — old-time type SEC contests that feature field position and turnovers as keys to victory. Alabama is fourth in the nation in total defense and one of just three teams in the nation giving up fewer than four yards per play. Add to that the fact that LSU is dead last in the SEC in total offense and you can see that the Bengal Tigers don’t want a high-scoring affair.

To win, Bama will have to reverse a trend. LSU has turned Bryant-Denny into a home away from home in recent years, having claimed wins in its last four visits. And while most experts and the stats themselves indicate a low-scoring and close battle, the Crimson Tide has the potential to explode. Bama quarterback Greg McElroy has sputtered in his last three outings and fans are still waiting for star receiver Julio Jones to return to his fabulous freshman form and have a breakout game. This game has the possibility to be that game.

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