The Senate's Looming Healthcare Debacle

Politico analyzes the brewing troubles ahead for the Senate Healthcare debate and explains how "reform" can still fall apart.  A brief excerpt:

"A Democratic dream – expanding the government’s role in guaranteeing health care to the uninsured – might well be reform’s undoing.

Public option proponents, including Sanders and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), say they have already given up enough. They agreed to forgo a single-payer system. They decided not to push a government plan tied to Medicare rates. And they accepted Reid’s proposal to include the opt-out provision. That’s it, they say.

The more conservative members of the caucus won’t budge either. They agreed Saturday to allow the debate to begin, but effectively killed the opt-out idea – Reid’s attempt at compromise.

Right now, there is no public option plan that could garner 60 votes. A public plan “trigger” if private insurers fall short could come close – saying, losing Sanders but picking up Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) – but there’s no guarantee it would fly in the House."

Turn left and lose votes. Turn right and lose votes. Compromise and lose votes.  And in most every instance - lose large segments of voters.  Sounds a bit balled-up, doesn't it?  Sausage anyone?

Be sure to read the whole thing.