Congressional -- and political -- agenda tied to outcome of health care reform

Questions abound about what may happen if health care reform does happen.

The National Journal reports: "Next year's health care agenda depends almost wholly on whether Congress lands a reform bill on President Obama's desk in 2009, and, if so, what's in it. ... If Congress fails to pass a bill this year, the big question becomes whether Democrats continue pushing a bill in 2010 or whether the parties turn the debate into a political, midterm election battle. Would a collapse have the same drastic consequences as some say that it had in 1994? After President Clinton's health reform effort crashed, Republicans seized control of the House and the Senate. ... Conversely, if Congress does pass a reform bill this year, then 2010 would be all about implementation. Although most of the bill's changes would not become effective for three or four years, implementation planning would begin immediately, bringing serious challenges, including funding" (Serafini, 10/10).