Healthcare Momentum

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Showdown Near, Health Overhaul Gains Two Votes,” describes new progress by Democratic leaders in obtaining support for national healthcare legislation.

Dennis Kucinich, a longtime liberal holdout, is now supporting the bill despite prior reservations that it didn’t go far enough. Mr. Kucinich, who favors a single payer government plan, will give cover to any liberals in the House with similar reservations.

Even more encouraging, Dale Kildee of Michigan, part of the former Stupak bloc with concerns about abortion language in the bill, now supports the legislation after careful review of the wording. He believes the legislation upholds the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal taxpayer funds to support abortion.

In addition, a new major group of nuns also announced support for the legislation for similar reasons.

This is all very encouraging. Following the twists and turns of the healthcare debate over the past year has been an anxiety-producing exercise, especially for a proponent rooting for its progress. The ability of Democrats to put aside their differences and work together for a common cause has been in doubt almost since the start.

Now, however, with the final denouement approaching, there is reason for hope. Still hope, not a certainty, but it’s better than the day after Scott Brown’s election when the enterprise was given up for dead.