Biden Claims Window on Health Care is Closing

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the window on passing sweeping health care reform is close to being lost for another generation.

Speaking just hours after Democrats met with President Obama, Vice President Biden issued his own statement that if the U.S. Congress fails to agree on a health care bill soon, the window for making sweeping change will close for another generation. The planned overhaul, approximately $2.5 trillion, would be the larges changes to the health care system of the United States since the creation of Medicare in 1965. It is estimated that it would extend coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans. Another intention of the legislation would be to halt industry practices like refusing coverage to people who have pre-existing conditions. Yahoo News quoted Biden as saying that if Congress failed to pass legislation, "it is going to be kicked back for a generation." He also said he expects Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., to vote in favor of the bill. There has been much talk about stripping Lieberman of the leadership of his committee the, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In an interview with MSNBC Biden said, "I think Joe's judgement is wrong in this. I am confident Joe is going to see the light." President Obama invited all 60 members of the Democratic caucus to the White House to push for the passing of the legislation. Sen. Lieberman was one of those 60 invited too because he caucuses with the Democrats. Democrats will need all 60 Democrat votes to pass the legislation and that means that Sen. Lieberman would be voting with them as well.