March Of The Old Guard

The AARP has endorsed the House health care reform bill, a major, major victory for the Democrats in the battle of public opinion.

The push to overhaul health care received a major boost Thursday as the nation's largest organization of older Americans endorsed legislation drafted by top House Democrats.

The move by the AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that advocates for people 50 and older, comes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, oversees final changes to the $1.1 trillion health care bill. The measure likely will come to a final vote Saturday.

A 42-page manager's amendment on the health care legislation posted Tuesday night made mostly technical changes in the nearly 2,000-page bill compiled from three Democratic proposals passed by three House committees.

By making the changes public Tuesday, House Democratic leaders could open floor debate on the bill Friday, while fulfilling their pledge to allow 72 hours of review before bringing the measure to the full chamber.

Pelosi insisted Thursday she will have the 218 votes necessary to pass the bill. Meanwhile, President Obama is set to huddle Friday with congressional Democrats on Capitol Hill to review the legislation.

Meanwhile, the powerful American Medical Association also is set to weigh in on the debate, announcing its position on the House health care bill at a Thursday news conference.

The pieces are falling into place. Saturday's vote will be historic, one way or another. But the AARP is not a joke. If they're backing the plan, then that's a definite win for the good guys on this one.