Democratic leaders in the House continue to count votes one by one as debate proceeds on the sweeping healthcare reform bill. A vote could come as soon as 10 p.m. tonight, and it's anticipated that the vote on the bill will be close.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has little room for error on the vote count: the Democrats hold 258 seats in the House, and 218 are needed for passage. That means she can afford only 40 defections from her party's ranks if the bill is to pass.
As of this afternoon, about 25 House Democrats, mostly freshman members and members representing districts in the South, have stated they will vote against the bill. President Barack Obama gave a pep talk to wavering Democratic Representatives today, advising them that a "no" vote would not spare them attacks from Republicans when they run for re-election.
Most of the waverers and "no" votes come from districts where constituents voiced opposition to the healthcare reform bill during town hall meetings this past summer.
One move Pelosi has greenlighted to shore up support for the bill is allowing a vote on an amendment that would prohibit the public insurance plan included in the legislation from paying for abortion services and forbidding anyone receiving government subsidies for their insurance premium from obtaining abortions. The move was a compromise designed to protect Democrats from more conservative districts without alienating the party's dominant liberal bloc. It is anticipated that the amendment will pass with nearly unanimous Republican support in addition to that of moderate Democrats, many of whom will find it easier to vote for the final bill if the amendment is included.
Many of the Democrats voting "no" voiced concerns raised by their constituents over the bill's cost.
The bill will require that all Americans have health insurance and sets up a subsidy program for those who cannot afford the premiums. It contains provisions for a publicly run plan and a significant expansion of the Medicaid program for low-income Americans. If the healthcare reform bill passes, it will mark the end of a century of efforts to implement universal health insurance in the United States.
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