Here we go again.

First, Democratic congressional leaders tried – albeitunsuccessfully – to get a health care overhaul bill passed beforean early August recess. Now, following House approval of a moreliberal version in the interim, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reidappears to have been successful in cobbling together enough votesto pass his chamber’s bill by Christmas.

What is the rush?

While the nation may need some kind of health care reform,opinion polls show that the Democrats’ version is a holiday presentmany people do not want. Multiple polls indicate that more people,in some cases a majority, are more opposed than are supportive ofthe ideas currently being discussed.

Despite the public opinion, Reid late last week was focused onswaying Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, who had concerns aboutthe bill’s abortion funding provisions, toward being the 60th voteneeded for passage. Nelson agreed Saturday to support the bill.

While compromises made by Reid to get Nelson’s and otherhesitant moderate Democrats’ votes were successful, theynevertheless have angered liberal senators, who are upset over theloss of a government-run plans and Medicare buy-in provisions.

Obviously, there remains room for more discussion and debate onthe controversial health care issue. The chances for that neededdebate happening appear to have slimmed considerably with theSenate bill seemingly on track for passage now.

Individual Democratic lawmakers’ concerns, not to mention unitedRepublican opposition, are not about stalling action on animportant issue. They are, however, important in making sure thatchanges to an industry impacting one-sixth of the national economyare done right and in the most cost-effective manner.

When it comes to health care, the only time it needs to berushed is in an emergency. Now is not one of those times.