Another Broken Promise: Obama promised to strip out deals from government health care bill

So much for a new way of doing things. Has there ever been so much deal making involving such large amounts of money?

While Democratic leaders picked up some yes votes, they remained short of the 216 needed for passage, and the bill's chance of success remained unknown Friday as lawmakers pressed for changes to the bill. Demands from wavering Democrats included boosting Medicare payments to hospitals and doctors in rural states, easing the likely burden on California agricultural producers and securing a White House commitment to retool immigration laws.

The deal-making appears to be at odds with a commitment from the White House to strip out provisions designed to benefit a particular state or special interest. The legislation has become controversial not only in the ways it would alter U.S. health care, but also because of public concern about the machinery employed to push it through the legislative process. . . .

Some of the deals

Action: New York, 10 other states and Washington DC get a total of $8.5 billion in federal funds to provide health-care coverage

Targets: members of the New York congressional delegation

Result: Most New York Democrats are voting for the legislation

Action: $100 million in federal funding to hospitals in Tennessee that provide care for poor people

Targets: Rep. Bart Gordon (D., Tenn.) and other members of the state's delegation

Result: Mr. Gordon announced his support for the legislation Thursday

Action: Additional water supplies to central California

Targets: California Democratic Reps. Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa

Result: The lawmakers remain undecided.

Action: President Obama issues statement pledging to push for comprehensive immigration reform this year

Targets: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D., Ill.) who opposed the healthcare bill because of a Senate provision that would it would prevent illegal immigrants from buying health insurance from the government.

Result: Mr. Gutierrez says he'll vote for the bill.

Not mentioned in the WSJ piece are deals such as allowing one bank in the nation that is located in North Dakota to keep issuing student loans.