The House today will vote on a $1.5 trillion healthcare overhaul bill meant to cover almost 50 million uninsured and penalize those who don’t take mandatory coverage^[1] — right on the heels of yesterday’s Senate Health Committee vote. Three House committees hold jusrisdiction over the healthcare reform bill, and one of those panels has the power to effectively block it.

A group of fiscally conservative House Democrats called the Blue Dogs holds more than half-a-dozen seats on the committee — enough to block approval — and is opposing the bill over costs and other issues.

Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who chairs the Blue Dogs’ health care task force, said the group would need to see significant changes to protect small businesses and rural providers and contain costs before it could sign on. “We cannot support the current bill,” he said.

The House version in its current form seems just as precarious as the senate’s in securing votes, with the likelihood of alternate forms taking shape to ensure passage. Are the American public beginning to sense the partisan divide on this signature issue of Obama’s? Will they let it negatively influence the apparent national unity on the morality of such legislation? Well, if a current poll is any indication, Obama may have a new worry in the proverbial court of public opinion — an area in which, until now, he has had relative confidence in projecting solid leadership. | LINK

1. The bill would place a 5.4% surtax on individuals and families with annual gross income exceeding $1 million. Individuals and families with annual income above $350,000 would face a 1% surtax, and those making between $500,000 and $1 million a year would be hit with a 1.5% surtax. Also, Under a proposed House bill, all small businesses with payrolls over $250,000 would have to either provide coverage for their employees or pay a penalty. [↩]

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