Lobbyists are a force to be reckon with on the recent healthcare reform. Recently, an AP article titled “Are lobbyists silver lining in health care storm?” By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR (AP), stated that lobbyists are pushing hard for healthcare reform.

The compromise is omitting two key Democratic initiatives:

It excludes a requirement for large businesses to offer coverage to their workers.
It also excludes a provision for a government insurance option.
The compromise is also considering a tax of up to 35% on some health insurance policies. Don’t forget that one of President Obama’s goals was to reduce health costs. How does adding another expense reduce health care costs?

This video is Rep Tom Price talking about his issues with the Health Reform Bill that was/is being debated in Congress.

An article written by Erica Warner, Associated Press Reporter, announced that the House Democrats are proposing surtax on households that make more than $350,000 per year. This surtax would begin in 2011 and is estimated to raise $540 billion over 10 years.

A group of legislators who call themselves “Blue Dog Democrats” have turned on the red light on a healthcare reform bill making its way through the House of Representatives. A recent Washington Post article discusses how this troubling to President Obama, who has deemed health reform to be one of his top two priorities. Regardless, Blue Dog Democrats will not approve any legislation that fails to contain costs. Their goal is to ensure a cost saving measures are implemented prior to resorting to taxation as a funding source. The Blue Dog Democrats are working on creating their own bill for healthcare reform.