The Democrats in the Senate are now looking at going it alone on passing a health care bill, through the budget reconciliation process, which cannot be filibustered, hence it requires only a majority of votes for passage.
The reconciliation process is not a “minor revolution,” as Republicans used it to pass the Bush tax cuts. Nor is it “the nuclear option,” no matter how much it is described as such. “The nuclear option” was the Republican term to doing away with the filibuster altogether.
To get a bill through the reconciliation process, it does need to have some serious financial heft to it. You can’t pass any old bill through reconciliation. In crafting a health care bill that can pass through reconciliation, the Senate Democrats will have to pass an bill with a very strong and robust public option.
Just remember, — the nuclear option is not on the table.