NEWS

Senate set to open stormy debate on health care – Associated Press

With the Senate set to begin debate today on revamping health care, the solid Democratic coalition that allowed the bill to advance is fracturing already. The majority Democrats will need 60 votes again to finish, but the 60 votes may not be there anymore.

MIT analysis backs Obama – Politico

A new analysis by a leading MIT economist provides new ammunition for Democrats as the Senate begins formally debating the historic health-reform bill being pushed by President Barack Obama.

Even if health bill passes soon, wait for reforms could be long – Washington Post

The White House has a message for Americans suffering under today’s health insurance system: "Help is on the way."

Dems seek deal as Sen. debate begins – Politico

After months of buildup, the historic debate on health care reform opens on the Senate floor Monday — but the C-SPAN cameras won’t see the real action.

Seven Things You Didn’t Know Were In The Senate Health Bill – Kaiser Health News

Pay attention: The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" — better known as the Senate health care overhaul bill – is chock full of interesting but little publicized provisions affecting consumers. Sure, the bill is mainly a blueprint for overhauling the insurance system. But look closely and you’ll see a variety of items that would affect people from the cradle to old age – from breast pump use to retiree health benefits. It’s a congressional tradition, adding pet interests that otherwise might not pass to a big bill that at least will be put up for a vote.

No break from health care for Lincoln in Arkansas – Associated Press

After casting a crucial vote on the health debate, U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln didn’t return to the break she may have wanted when she came home to Arkansas.

OPINION

A Modest Public Plan – New York Times

It is astonishing, but the question of whether a small slice of Americans should be able to choose between a government-run health insurance plan and private health insurance plans is threatening passage of much-needed health care reform.

Are We Going to Let John Die? – Nicholas Kristof

If Joe Lieberman or other senators came across John Brodniak writhing in pain on the sidewalk, they presumably would jump to help him and rush him to a hospital.

Resurrecting reconciliation – Congress Matters

The completely predictable (and often predicted) post-cloture breath-holding from LIeberman, Lincoln, et al., in which they loudly insist they won’t allow a health care bill with a public option to go forward, has begun. And with it has come renewed calls for the use of the budget reconciliation process to pass the health insurance reform legislation.

The filibuster has gone from affecting 8 percent of big bills in the 1950s to 70 percent in the 2000s - Ezra Klein

Over at U.S. News and World Report, Robert Schlesinger attaches some more numbers to the rise of the filibuster.

Former Insurance Company Executive: Health Insurers Stand Between Patients And Their Doctors – Think Progress

One of the most common right-wing memes used by opponents of health care reform is that progressive solutions to America’s health care problems place “Washington bureaucrats firmly between you and your doctor.” Again and again, conservatives have deployed this meme to demagogue the health care debate.

(compiled for Health Care for America Now)