There might be a sliver of hope for healthcare reform after all. According to Politico, Reid and Pelosi are meeting this weekend to craft a series of measures, to apparently be passed via reconciliation before the House votes on the Senate bill. If the reconciliation measures pass, the House votes on the Senate bill and, as Benen calls it, "a fiasco for the ages" is avoided. Politico:
The changes being considered track closely with the agreements House and Senate leaders made in White House meetings last week, according to a source. They include the deal with labor unions to ease the tax on high-end insurance plans, additional Medicare cuts and taxes, the elimination of a special Medicaid funding deal for Nebraska and a move to help cover the gap in seniors' prescription drug coverage. Pelosi is also working to change the Senate provision that sets up state insurance exchanges. The House prefers a single, national exchange.
Make the deal, Democrats. Wise up and make the deal.