Dems May Try To 'Deem' Health Care Plan; Tea Partiers Due In D.C.

Health care, and the prospects for some type of legislation overhauling the nation's system for delivering it, remains atop the news today.

On Morning Edition, NPR's Andrea Seabrook spoke with host Renee Montagne about a legislative maneuver that the Democratic leaders in Congress look ready to take as they try to get the Obama/Democratic-approved plan through.

That legislative process is called "deeming," and it means the House might "deem" the Senate-approved health care plan as having been "passed." So, as incredible as this sounds after all these months of debate, there wouldn't actually be a vote in the House on the bill — though there would be on the subsequent changes made via "reconciliation":

The Washington Post's explanation for how this all would work is here.

Republicans say the Democrats will be resorting to "subterfuge" if they go with the "deeming" process. Democrats, and some historians, say the maneuver isn't all that unusual — though it isn't often used for legislation this important.

The president, by the way, told ABC News yesterday that "we are going to get the votes, we're going to make this happen."

This is all headed, it's being reported, for action in the House later this week. Our colleague Scott Hensley at NPR's health blog, Shots, is following the process here.

Other stories making headlines this morning include:

— The Hill — "Democrats Plan Hospitable Greeting For Tea Partiers": "Tea Partiers are storming the Capitol (Tuesday), and Democrats are preparing to roll out the red carpet. In a memo sent to freshman and sophomore lawmakers, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the House leadership, urges lawmakers to make special accommodations to prepare for the protesters, ranging from refreshments to extra staff members."

— The Wall Street Journal — "Haiti Needs $11.5 Billion, Report Says": "Two months after an earthquake pulverized the country's capital, Haiti authorities calculated they would need $11.5 billion over the next three years to get the nation back on its feet." (Preview here; full text available only to subscribers.)

— Boston Globe — "Deluge Of Misery Across The Region": "A third day of rain pushed Eastern Massachusetts to a tipping point yesterday as a relentless nor'easter sent rivers and streams spilling over their banks, overwhelmed sewer systems, flooded major roads, and forced hundreds to leave their homes ahead of advancing waters."

Related story by The Weather Channel — "Northeast Storm Out To Sea, Flooding Remains": "After pummeling the Northeast for days the big storm is finally moving out to sea. ... Flooded rivers across the Mid-Atlantic have crested and should continue to recede today. Most of them should be back within their banks by Wednesday morning. The exceptions are the rivers in northern New Jersey."

— Morning Edition — "Economists Debate Impact Of Temporary Hiring": "The U.S. economy has been growing for eight months and people everywhere are wondering when employers will start hiring again. Some economists are betting that March is the month that things turn around. Temporary hiring is one cause for this optimism. It's up, and has been on a steady climb since September. An increase in temporary hiring is usually a sign that businesses are gearing up to hire full-time workers." NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports:

— Sky News — "Clashes In Jerusalem On Hamas 'Day Of Rage' ": "Dozens of Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police in East Jerusalem on a 'day of rage' declared by Hamas. The Palestinians hurled stones at police and set tyres ablaze while officers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, witnesses said."