So does health insurance reform have a pulse? It depends on who you talk to. Most Democrats believe it does, and are thrilled to have the President finally put out a plan that he calls “his own.” And even though there are really no new ideas in this plan–it’s very similar to what the Senate passed in December–most Democrats feel at least there is some hope they can get something passed.

Republicans on the other hand seem to think this is another attempt by the Democratic administration to simply push them into a corner with a plan they feel just doesn’t work.

So where does this leave the average American who hopes simply that health insurance will become more affordable? It’s tough to say, but at some level I know I’m at least happy to know the dialog isn’t completely dead. While some special interests out there are probably quite happy with the status quo, polls suggest that most Americans–while they may not agree on what should be done–feel that something needs to be.

The reality is that both sides of the aisle still consider this issue a bellwether, and neither wants to be seen to fail in the eyes of their constituencies.

But based on Obama’s proposal and Cantor’s comments, it appears as if a successful compromise isn’t in our immediate future.

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