Health Care Reform Outlook Clear? Don't Count on It | 44 | washingtonpost.com

 

By Dan Balz
The gathering of industry leaders standing with President Obama in the White House pledging to cut up to $2 trillion in health care costs over the next decade suggests a gathering of momentum behind one of the president's signature domestic initiatives. The train is leaving the station. All aboard!

Perhaps. While 2009 may not be 1993-94, the truth is that it still may be too early to declare that the constellation of forces in favor of reform is cohesive and strong enough to weather the battle that will surely come. Whatever goodwill Obama can create now he will need later this year to persuade the House and Senate -- and the array of special interests involved in health care -- to enact a comprehensive reform package.

The story line is developing that the political climate is dramatically different today than it was during the Clinton administration, when health care reform ultimately crashed and burned without ever coming to a vote on the floor of the House or Senate. There is some truth to that, but not so much as people might assume......

Health Care Reform Outlook Clear? Don't Count on It | 44 | washingtonpost.com