It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Capitol Hill Republicans, hammered repeatedly by the Democratic majority for nitpicking President Obama's health care overhaul but supposedly not offering an alternative, say they're keeping their cards close to the vest until the endgame on the House floor.

Republican officials say they won't show their hand until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reveals the procedural rules Democrats will impose to control the amendment process and floor debate next week on the Democrats' nearly 2,000-page health bill.

"They know that their plan isn't popular, so their strategy is to go out and demonize us," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "We've had plans out there for six months."

Republicans this year introduced more than 50 health bills, including measures to reform medical-malpractice law, increase competition among insurers by allowing consumers to buy coverage across state lines, and provide tax credits to offset insurance premiums and other medical expenses.

None of the bills saw the light of day in the House and none likely will get a chance to be incorporated as an amendment to the Democrats' health bill, which is slated to go to a vote in the House as early as Thursday.

Republicans insist they do have a comprehensive plan, but are waiting to make it public, though Mr. Boehner said Friday on Fox News that consumers would be better off if Congress killed the Democrats' bill and then used a "step-by-step approach" to pass eight or nine separate bills to retool health care.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer has signaled that few, if any, amendments to the mammoth health bill will be allowed before a final vote on the bill.

The Maryland Democrat did invite Republicans to offer a substitute bill for an up or down vote to replace the entire Democratic package, provided the substitute's price tag is scored by the Congressional Budget Office and members have 72 hours to read the legislation, the same process followed for the majority's bill.

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