It appears as though healthcare reform bill is getting closer to becoming a reality, in spite of everything that members of the GOP have done, and continue to do ti keep this from happening. A deal has been struck by Senators, and this is a major step toward the creation of a final bill that can be voted on by both The House and Senate.

Since the members of the GOP have pretty much taken the position that one of their goals is to prevent this reform from taking place, members of the Democratic Party in The Senate have been working on compromises in the areas where there was major disagreement, and it's looking more and more like The Senate will be able to get the 60 votes required to pass a finalized bill without resorting to "cloture" to get a bill passed.

Senators Strike Health Deal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126030062798482341.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

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The Senate will be able to get the 60 votes required to pass a finalized bill without resorting to "cloture" to get a bill passed.

I think this is a good thing, as far as the power players are concerned. The democratic powers that be have already done enough damage to themselves/party by berating and disparaging their constituents, that they don't need anymore disheartened voters.
If however, they eventually do decide to resort to that, I think that's just tightening the noose and jumping off the stool.[/size]