Pokey GOP frustrates healthcare debate

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Democrats threatened to unleash procedural furies to force votes on healthcare reform bill amendments as floor debate continued for a third day.

With an eye cast toward Republicans, Democratic leaders said they were prepared to keep the Senate in session until Christmas and beyond to complete work on the bill before the New Year, The Hill reported Wednesday.

"Unless the Republican leadership comes forward with a reasonable approach to these amendments, I think our patience is wearing thin," said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Senators began formal debate on a bill Monday, but as yet haven't held a vote the first two amendments because of Republican objections. Without GOP agreement, Democrats would either have to file cloture on each amendment, a slow process requiring 60 votes, or move to table the amendments, which needs only 51 votes but is seen as a harsh alternative, the Washington publication said.

Republicans deny trying to impede progress on the legislation, although a GOP leadership aide said their aim is to ensure the bill remains on the floor for at least as long as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada spent behind closed doors creating it out of the two measures approved by the Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees.

Meanwhile, Reid said he's prepared to unveil a new public option next week.

Reid tapped Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., to develop an alternative to the divisive public option, The Hill said.

Under his scheme, Carper said, a national public insurance program would be founded by the government but managed by a non-governmental board. The plan couldn't access taxpayer dollars beyond initial seed money and would operate alongside private insurance, and non-profit healthcare cooperatives and state-based public plans that would be authorized by bill.