Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-ME, participates in the markup of the Committee's version of a health care reform bill on Capitol Hill in Washington on October 13, 2009. The bill is expected to pass later today but Sen. Snowe's yes or no vote is not assured. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg |
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. healthcare reform faces tough legislative action as lawmakers try to make one bill out of several while placating several very different constituencies.
The U.S. Senate Financial Committee Tuesday approved a measure pulled together by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. The vote was pretty much along party lines with only Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, crossing over. Even her support was tentative and could fade if the reconciliation process isn't to her liking.
The Senate is working on making two bills -- the Senate health committee also approved a reform measure -- into one that can win 60-vote support to get to the Senate floor. It will then have to be meshed with a House of Representatives' version and then voted on again by both houses before U.S. President Barack Obama gets a chance to sign it.
The legislative challenges are daunting. Baucus's bill doesn't include the so-called government or public option, which some Democrats said any reform must include. Many Republicans are just as adamant that inclusion of such a plan won't pass with their support.
