Health Bill before Christmas Unlikely

Not that it would be a surprise if it was pushed into next year. Between the glaring differences of the house bill and the general distaste so many players have, its a wonder they are even talking about passing legislation.
From McClatchy:

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama tried mightily Tuesday to jolt the Senate's stalled health care overhaul effort, but after an hour-long closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats, the fate of his top 2009 domestic priority remains unclear.Obama afterward said he was "cautiously optimistic" the measure could pass the Senate before Christmas, and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Democrats left the meeting "enthusiastic."

Obama, Baucus said, reminded them "politics catches up with good policy," and that they should remember they may not get all they want in this bill, but they would create a framework for future changes."He reminded, this is why we run for these jobs," said Baucus, reading off notes he made on a cocktail napkin with the White House seal.

Time for pre-Christmas action is running out, however, because Senate rules are likely to require several days of procedural votes that will need 60 members to cut off debate.

Many Democrats remained circumspect about the bill."We're all being urged to vote for something and we don't know the details of what's in it," said Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

And that is the most absurd part of this whole debacle. We are talking about one of the most significant pieces of legislation facing the country in years, and the haphazard way in which it is being accomplished is an absolute disgrace.