Those rules DO apply to all Americans, a pretty transparent bid to shore up political support among women. The other big issue was the right to sue HMO's or other health plans for malpractice in a Federal court. Republicans take the position that the court room is not the place to resolve medical problems. Democrats feel the right to sue is essential in maintaining some degree of accountability, especially with HMO's. By comparison, the tax debate is almost straightforward.
Republicans continue to obsess over tax cuts.
There is an old truism that holds that advertising tends to emphasize the product's weakness. In a similar way, the Republican fixation on tax cuts highlights the real dearth of any other ideas that might appeal to voters. The bottom line on all of this debating over patient rights and tax cuts is what, if any, political advantage has been gained by either party. Given the obvious political motivations behind each side's votes, I don't think either party has a lot to be proud of from this week's work. My problem with both the debate on tax cuts and health care is the selective nature of the approach being taken, especially by the Republicans.