WASHINGTON, Dec 11, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Moderate Democrats in the U.S.
Senate, concerned about a proposed expansion of Medicare, say they won't commit
their votes until they get more information.
The Medicare proposal -- seen as possibly bridging the healthcare divide between
liberals who want a public option and moderates who don't -- would allow people
ages 55-64 to buy Medicare coverage. Currently, the program covers people 65 or
older.
However, key swing senators are expressing reservations about the proposal,
muddying Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's effort to build a filibuster-proof
majority, Politico reported Friday.
Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said the proposal aggravates an "already-serious
problem" of low government reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals serving
Medicare patients.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Ind.-Conn., indicated that he was "increasingly
concerned" about the proposal, while Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said lowering
Medicare eligibility could lead to a government-run healthcare system, "which I
do not like," the Washington publication said.
Reid, D-Nev., said he won't release details of the proposal until he receives an
analysis, expected next week, from the Congressional Budget Office. Once he gets
the analysis, Reid has less than two weeks to alter the plan if the cost is too
steep, brief his caucus, nail down votes and clear procedural challenges for
final passage, Politico said.
"It's going to be a challenge, but it is doable," Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said.
"It is a major part of health reform that has clearly not gotten the airing of,
say, the public option."
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International