2009-12-10
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) continues to
negotiate with Democrats in the Senate to reach a compromise on health reform
legislation that will garner the 60 votes necessary for Senate passage. To achieve the requisite number of votes, the
Majority Leader must obtain support from the entire Democratic caucus and forge
compromises with the liberals, the more fiscally conservative, and those with
divergent views on provisions in the legislation. Most contentious in the Senate are provisions
to establish a public option, to restrict abortion services, and to finance the
legislation. In a rare meeting on
Capitol Hill, President Obama visited Democratic Senators to urge their support
of the legislation and to not fail to pass a bill. The House of Representatives passed their version of health reform on
November 7. Procedurally, the Senate
must pass a bill and any differences between the House and Senate versions must
be resolved in what is called a conference committee and then that bill must be passed by
each chamber before being sent to the President to sign into law.
Regarding the public option, on December 8, a
group of 10 moderate and liberal Democratic senators reached a major
breakthrough on the controversial public option provision. The agreement
centers on three provisions: a buy-in to the Medicare program for 55-64 year
olds; a provision in which the Office of Personnel Management would negotiate
with insurers to offer more affordable coverage; and tough insurance regulations
to bring down premium costs. It is not clear, however, if what makes
the public option passable in the Senate will unravel deals in the House-passed
measure.
The Majority Leader was also successful in working through
the abortion issue. On December 8, the Senate
defeated an amendment offered by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Orrin G.
Hatch (R-UT) that would have tightened restrictions for funding of abortions
in a health overhaul bill.
A chart summarizing and comparing the major provisions in the House and
Senate health reform bills is available.
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