From Kos: Big Healthcare Reform News

Without waiting for President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the Finance Committee, will unveil a detailed blueprint on Wednesday to guarantee health insurance for all Americans by facilitating sales of private insurance, expanding Medicaid and Medicare, and requiring most employers to provide or pay for health benefits....

The plan proposed by Mr. Baucus, Democrat of Montana, would eventually require everyone to have health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies for those who could not otherwise afford it.

Then they quote Krugman:

But now Max Baucus — Max Baucus! — is leading the charge on a health care plan that, at least at first read, is more like Hillary Clinton’s than Barack Obama’s; that is, it looks like an attempt at full universality. (The word I hear, by the way, is that Obama’s opposition to mandates was tactical politics, not conviction — so he may well be prepared to do the right thing now that the election is won.)

So this looks very good for the reformers. There’s now a reasonable chance that universal health care will be enacted next year!

There was a time not too long ago where I would have been totally blown away by this, but now we still have so much other stuff to worry about....

Ha! He can join the "My Ridiculously Tall Coworkers Make Me Look Lilliputian" club.

Yes!

::snuggles the buffistas::

I think about eight people in the world would get that joke and they're all right here. Well, and Ryland.

My job is so iffy right now that the idea of universal health care being passed relatively soon is good news to my ears.

Actually, health care reform is one of the things that could most help Jo Average-American weather the recession -- one of the most worrisome aspects of job loss is health insurance loss, particularly if you have preexisting conditions.

Yeah, that's true. Plus a lot of people are afraid of going into business for themselves for the same reason.

man, my doctor best friend has been out of the country since 2 days before the election. To come back and hear that universal health care may be a reality in the not too distant future will blow her mind in a very good way.

She's been in Morocco where, she says, everyone is mad for Obama. She was in a cab the day after the election with a driver who spoke no English (and she speaks very little French or Arabic) and he kept turning around, giving her the two thumbs up, while shouting "OBAMA! OBAMA!"

I had a dream about Obama and Emanuel in which Obama was holding Emanuel by the scruff of his neck and Emanuel was flipping out like a terrier who wants to eat the mailman.

I can see the LOLObama in my head.

I think about eight people in the world would get that joke and they're all right here. Well, and Ryland.

Snerk.

one of the most worrisome aspects of job loss is health insurance loss, particularly if you have preexisting conditions.

Ayup.

I had a dream about Obama and Emanuel in which Obama was holding Emanuel by the scruff of his neck and Emanuel was flipping out like a terrier who wants to eat the mailman.

I'm fairly sure this might actually happen at some point. Emanuel looks like he wants to eat his enemies on a daily basis. Preferably with some Chianti and fava beans.

I had a dream about Obama and Emanuel in which Obama was holding Emanuel by the scruff of his neck and Emanuel was flipping out like a terrier who wants to eat the mailman.

I suspect this may be an accurate description of their day-to-day interactions.

I'm fairly sure this might actually happen at some point. Emanuel looks like he wants to eat his enemies on a daily basis. Preferably with some Chianti and fava beans.

I'm trying to picture the Emmanuel family Passover Seder and giggling madly.