Reid Lacks Consensus on Public Option

Monday, 26 October 2009 08:46

In the News

Bloomberg

Congressional Democrats are counting and recounting to 60 as the House and Senate prepare to release their new plans to overhaul the nation’s health-care system.

While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mainly refining her legislation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has yet to find consensus among the 60 senators in his Democratic caucus on how best to insure more Americans and curb rising medical costs. Still, both are likely to produce bills this week.

Each senator has assumed added importance as Reid wrestles with whether to require employers to insure workers and how to pay for the legislation. He’s leaning toward including a government-run insurance program, or public option, which would risk losing Republican Olympia Snowe and maybe some Democrats.

Full story here.