Pelosi: Conservatives slow healthcare bill

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- U.S. House Democrats are on target to reach a healthcare bill deal, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, but conservative members of the party have slowed the process.

The New York Times reported conservative Democrats are concerned about the cost of the bill. Pelosi said Wednesday House Democrats were loathe to go along with an income surtax on high earners unless the Senate is willing to do so as well.

Still, Pelosi said, "I have no question that we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation," the Times reported.

House and Senate leaders had been trying to get a vote on healthcare in each chamber before lawmakers leave for the August summer recess. But the Times reported congressional aides said the Senate likely would not be ready to vote on its bill before its recess begins Aug. 8.

Adding his voice Wednesday night to the push for reform, President Barack Obama said healthcare is part of the larger plan to get control of government spending. "The biggest driving force behind our deficit is the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid and Medicare," he said.