As the Senate began debate this week, several issues of timing are coming to the forefront:
- Will health care reform pass before the end of 2009? This seems extraordinarily unlikely. With the number of potential amendments and a reconciliation of the House and Senate bills (assuming Senate passage) necessary before sending a final bill to the President, Congress looks far more likely to go home for the holidays with additional work to do. The clip below from Newsy.com provides more insight.
- Will health care reform pass in 2010? The closer we get to November 2010 elections, the harder it will be for some moderate Democrats to vote for this bill. A heavily amended bill still seems very possible, if not likely, but several moderate Democrats and perhaps a Republican like Senator Olympia Snowe, will wield great influence in the final version.
- When we will see change? Assuming a final bill does pass, those hoping for a quick fix are likely to be disappointed. There may be a good three to four years of preparation (and collecting of taxes to pay for the reforms) before you see anything different with your current health insurance.
