Setbacks and Fissions — Reconsidering the Scope and Timing of Reform | Health Care Reform 2009

Posted by NEJM
Encountering surprisingly strong discontent over Democratic proposals for health care reform, which has been registered at town-hall meetings and has energized the Republican opposition, the Obama administration and its allies have suffered a setback in their efforts to move the president’s top domestic initiative forward. Now, as Democrats strive to regain some momentum, their party is split over what path to pursue to win enactment of reform legislation. Ultimately, Obama may have to persuade the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate to support a less sweeping plan that is acceptable to its disparate factions. Attracting Republican support for comprehensive reform may be a lost cause, especially now that Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has died.
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