ObamaCare Fails Senate Test Vote 47 - 53

The Senate took its first floor vote on Obamacare yesterday and the White House lost.

The New York Times reports:

"Democrats lost a big test vote on health care legislation on Wednesday as the Senate blocked action on a bill to increase Medicare payments to doctors at a cost of $247 billion over 10 years. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, needed 60 votes to proceed. He won only 47. And he could not blame Republicans. A dozen Democrats and one independent crossed party lines and voted with Republicans on the 53 to 47 roll call."

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel tried to smooth passage of the $1 trillion-plus health care overhaul by transferring a quarter of its cost into a separate, and completely unpaid for, bill. This apparently didn't sit well with Democratic Senators like Evan Bayh (D-IN), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Wyden told the Times:

"On the eve of a historic debate on health care, it's essential to show a commitment to real reform," including fiscal responsibility.

A recent Gallup poll showed that Americans, more than ever, feel that health care costs will increase, the quality of health care will decrease and that insurance company requirements will become complicated under ObamaCare.

By 58% to 38%, Americans would generally prefer to see Congress deal with health care reform "on a gradual basis over several years" rather than "try to pass a comprehensive health care reform plan this year."

Reforms such as equalizing the tax treatment of health insurance purchases, allowing people to purchase health insurance across state lines, and allowing states more flexibility on Medicaid spending are what the American people want, why aren't the Democrats and Obama listening.