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Anonymous
Posted Aug 4, 2009 3:06 PM
generally means two parties..... where were the republicans?
August 4th, 2009
Obama gives Senate Democrats pep talk on health care
Posted: 02:34 PM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) After a pep talk from President Barack Obama, Senate Democrats said Tuesday they believe Congress will pass a bipartisan health-care bill this year.
Were going to do, if theres any way humanly possible, a bipartisan bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said after a luncheon meeting of all the chambers Democrats with Obama. Well continue to work with them as long as we have to.
Reid likened the meeting to a coach giving a pep talk, saying the Democratic senators now were ready to take on the world.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana, who is heading negotiations among six members of his panel on what would be the only bipartisan health-care proposal so far, said he expected the process to succeed.
Were going to get health-care reform passed this year working together, Baucus said.
Congressional action on a health-care overhaul has slowed due to strong Republican opposition. Neither chamber met Obamas desired goal of passing a bill before their August recess.
In particular, the Republicans and some Democrats reject a government-funded public health insurance option, which they believe will lead to a government takeover of the health care system. Democrats want a public option to ensure coverage is available to virtually all Americans and provide competition to private insurers.
The negotiations involving three Democrats and three Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have so far ruled out a public option, instead focusing on non-profit health insurance cooperatives that would negotiate collective policies for their members.
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