The first vote in the Senate was to start debate. That passed with all GOP Senators voting no. The Arkansas and Louisiana Senators could have killed the bill by voting no on opening debate. I believe one "no" could have done that. The Arkansas Democrat is up for re-election in 2010. Color Mrs. Lincoln gone. She is married to a physician.
The second vote is crucial, after debate begins on November 30. That is the vote to stop debate. Under Senate rules, that takes 60 votes too. Lieberman has threatened to filibuster because of his doubts. Another Senator has indicated the same thing. If they cannot close debate, the bill is killed for the moment.
The third vote is the easy one, if debate is closed. That would pass with 51 votes, letting the vulnerable Democrat Senators vote "no" to save themselves at election time.
Finally, a Senate bill, once passed, would go to reconciliation and a final version would be prepared for Obama to sign into law. I have heard that the Cuban Health Care Plan would not start until 2012, but I am certain that the worst aspects would begin at once.
This would be a good time to contact US Senators.
