Healthcare Heroes

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Democrats Gain with a Promise on Health Costs,” describes the continuing momentum in favor of national healthcare passage. With 72 hours to go before a crucial House vote, the Congressional Budget Office offered its non-partisan analysis of the bill — it will reduce the deficit by $138 billion over the next decade.

Another development described in the article was President Obama’s decision to postpone a trip to Asia in order to shepherd the healthcare legislation through to completion. This, too, represented a wise decision given the importance of the bill to the future of his Presidency.

Republicans, of course, are continuing their obstructionist ways, and, at this point, noone really cares about them any more. They had a chance to participate constructively in this historic legislation and chose not to do so for political reasons.

And, in my opinion, the fact that they made the choice for politics, instead of what’s right and wrong for 30 million uninsured Americans, will catch up to them, sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, with a vote planned for Sunday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is working furiously to lock up the needed votes. She will get them because of her perseverance and very talented handling of the Democratic caucus. And the American people will benefit as a result.