The divisiveness among conservatives as Republicans and liberals (usually as Democrats) could not have been scripted any more concisely in the drama surrounding the reform debate. Although President Obama promised to forge an historic example of bipartisanship en route to the most sweeping changes to healthcare in at least 40 years, it was, in many ways, a pre-ordained fate to find such disagreement among each party as we look toward floor debate. What has not gotten as much attention, however, is the level of disagreement between factions on the left — most notably among progressives hoping for an enriched public option and center-leftists trying to achieve reform with conservatives in a more conciliatory nature via concessions.

It is these micro-rifts that threaten to cause protracted argument well after the bill gets to the Senate floor for debate. For example, the necessary Democratic votes (sixty) to get the floor are unique to the votes from the same political party to address issues that will likely be included later as amendments to the bill before it becomes law. Among the points upon which the centrists and the more progressive among the Democrats disagree include surtaxes on high-cost insurance plans to subsidize low-income coverage, the feasibility of federal long-term care coverage, the breadth of employer-sponsored coverage, and the wisdom of an opt-out provision for states.

Although criticized for high lack of crucial leadership leading up to this moment in the reform debate, Sen. Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) plans to show some mettle in pushing the bill for debate with ironclad Democrat votes to secure it followed by garnering White House support to get it pushed through. For him, the move may have a positive, but measured, affect on his troubled reelection bid next year. For those in his party, it may cause more of an ideological divide on how “public” the public option should be. | LINK | LINK2

Related Posts Within Doctor Pundit:

1. In Senate Reform Bill Plight, Democrats Overcome One Obstacle to Face Another Senate Democrats were able to secure 60 votes to carry...
2. Current Form of Reform Bill in Senate on Uncertain Ground Could the senate version of the healthcare bill come down...
3. Senate Releases Bill Markup, Prompting Imminent Debate The full text of the Senate health reform bill is...