The Labor Union has said that they now support a higher tax on high-cost health insurance, one of the many methods that Democrats are trying to institute to pay for the new reformed health care system. It’s a big deal- Labor Union support would count as one of the major hurdles that the bill had to get in order to have any hope for moving forward.

It is being called the “Cadillac Tax,” and it was a big divider between the Senate and the House versions of this bill. Many are hopeful that this will mean adoption by both houses and sending of the health care bill to the President soon.

Of course, there are other issues, and budget analysts still have to look at the documents, and there needs to be a democratic senator elected in Massachusetts to vote for it, but hope springs eternal for the bill, and it’s looking like it may have the momentum to go to the President’s desk.
Obama, for his part, essentially said that people would like the bill once it is passed- acknowledging lower opinion numbers.

"I know how big a lift this has been," [But once passed] "the American people will suddenly learn this bill does things they like and doesn't do things that people have been trying to say it does," said Obama.

Now, I like Obama, and I think the bill is a good thing, but if George Bush had said that, I’d have been all over him, screaming about secrecy and saying how much I don’t want the president forcing things on me, etc. etc.

Suddenly learn? Don’t patronize us, Mr. Obama. Explain things to people with that rhetoric that you are so respected for. I do trust you, which is essentially what you are asking for with that statement- that I let you do whatever you want and I trust that it will come out ok- and I will believe that this bill is good for me, because that is what I voted for when I voted for you, but don’t make a habit out of this, ok?

If I were Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, this is what I would be focusing on right now. THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU! JUST TRUST HIM! JUST TRUST IN HIM! That’s what I’d be doing if I were a Republican or conservative talk show shock host. But I’m not, so I’m going to sit back and watch this all happen, celebrate that it is the first major victory of Obama’s administration, and talk to my family back in the Midwest about what they think this means to the American people.

What I like the most is that the pharmaceutical industry has to put up another $10 billion in addition to the $80 billion it agreed to pay last year. Milk that. They owe the country for sure.

Another key item is that Obama is pushing for a national exchange on the health care options rather than state-based exchanges- that makes sense, especially if it is going to be a national thing for people to have the non-profit option. And it will cut down on people moving to specific states because the coverage is superior.

Nodding my head as this one moves forward. I trust you, Mr. Obama, President.

Photo Credit: KCIvey (via Flickr under CCL)