If you’ve been playing health care on hopes of gridlock in Congress, we’d like a word.
According to the latest remarks out of the White House, it appears President Obama is about to play hard ball with the GOP.
And we do mean hard ball.
On Wednesday, the President called on Dems to implement a procedural move – which would bar the GOP’s right to filibuster as well as pass health care reform with only 51 votes in the Senate - instead of the usual 60.
And the President doesn't seem interested in returning to the bargaining table.
When asked if he would consider additional debate, President Obama said, "Every idea has been put on the table. Every argument has been made. Everything there is to say about health care has been said, and just about everyone has said it."
At its core, Obama's proposal would extend health care to tens of millions of uninsured Americans while cracking down on insurance company practices such as denying coverage on the basis of a pre-existing medical condition.
Although that might make health care reform seem like a done deal, there's one caveat. Considering this is an election year some lawmakers may worry if they're perceived as ramming this bill through Congress they'll lose their seats.
What must you know?
I don’t think the Dems are going to be successful, says Daniel Clifton of Strategas. There are just too many pieces of the Senate bill that won't sit well in the House. I expect to see health care reform fall a part over the next few weeks.
But if the bill does go through UNH and Humana could fade because of their exposure to Medicare, adds Steve Grasso.
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