So Much for that Compromise. Now How About Reconciliation

What was all that about using reconciliation to pass key components of healthcare reform?

Reid needs to take a second look (or fifth, or tenth), as co-Presidents Snowe and Lieberman weigh in on the latest.

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) said Thursday that she does not support the Medicare buy-in because it would "aggravate an already-serious problem" with the program – the low reimbursement rates for hospitals and doctors.

"I have serious concerns," Snowe told reporters. "I just think that is the wrong direction to take."

Snowe said she could not see a way for Senate Democratic leaders to even tweak the proposal to win her vote.

"I can’t see it," said Snowe, who met Wednesday with President Barack Obama. "I am talking to a lot of my providers this afternoon and I know they are mighty unhappy."

....

Another key undecided moderate, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Vt.) [sic], said Thursday that his level of unease with the Medicare buy in is also rising.

"I am increasingly troubled about the proposal," Lieberman said. "I am worried about what impact it will have on the Medicare program’s fiscal viability and also what effect it will have on the premiums paid by people benefiting from Medicare now and whether the whole thing is viable. If you separate it from Medicare, it will be an extremely expensive program."

Oh, and the triggered public option the compromise contains? Even "unpulled" it's an irritant to Lieberman, which he'll filibuster. Ah, the irony of Lieberman calling anything an irritant.

They gave it the old college try. They've done absolutely everything to bring everyone on board and get the 60 votes and it ain't gonna happen.

It's. Not. Going. To. Work.

It's time to be pragmatic about this now. There are so many barriers to getting 60 votes, it's time to refocus on what can actually be done with 50 votes. That's the public option, Medicaid expansion, and/or Medicare buy-in. Do the things by reconciliation that will really help solve the crisis for the most people via reconciliation, and pass the insurance reforms, which have broad support, in the regular process.

Practically, it's the only way this thing is going to happen in any kind of form that really helps people, that will get 30 million people insured who are currently uninsured now.