2009-12-17

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. 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.

Senate leaders were thought to have reached a major breakthrough with a group of 10 moderate and liberal Democratic senators on the controversial public option provision on December 8. The agreement centered 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.

However, the deal fell apart when Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), who had previously signaled support for the agreement, voiced concern about the Medicare buy-in provision. Although Democratic leaders have attempted to renegotiate a compromise with Senator Lieberman by removing the Medicare buy-in provision, a number of other Democratic senators have indicated that they are unlikely to support a bill that does not contain some form of a public option.

Additionally, Democratic Senators continue to raise objection to abortion-related provisions, drug re-importation measures, and to the overall cost of the legislation.

President Obama has met with Democratic senators during a rare meeting on Capitol Hill and a separate meeting at the White House in an effort to continue to urge their support of the legislation.

Despite the continuing disputes, Majority Leader Reid and others remain optimistic that the Senate will be able to pass some version of health reform prior to Christmas and have set December 23 as a target date for a final Senate vote on health reform. 

A chart summarizing and comparing the major provisions in the House and Senate health reform bills is available.

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