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Headlines! Wednesday, November 18

Posted by: Erin Kelly on Nov 18, 2009

Reid ‘Optimistic' About Getting 60 Votes on Health Bill -The Washington Post

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid scrambled Tuesday to lock down votes behind a health-care bill that he may present as early as Wednesday.

Senate Healthcare Reform Bill: What's taking so long? -The Christian Science Monitor

More than a week after the House passed its healthcare reform bill, members of the US Senate still have yet even to see their final bill. Senate majority leader Harry Reid confirmed Tuesday that he is waiting on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). But "waiting" doesn't begin to capture the complex and highly interactive process going on behind the scenes.

Health Overhaul Sparks Debate on Future of Children's Health Program -Kaiser Health News

One of the staunchest backers of the Children's Health Insurance Program, Sen. Jay Rockefeller isn't ready to see it swallowed up by a new health insurance marketplace designed by Congress.

AARP Won't Endorse GOP Plan, or Rescind Dem Support -Congress Daily

House Republicans want the AARP to rescind its endorsement of comprehensive health reform legislation after a government report showed it could cause some providers to stop accepting Medicare patients.

What to Expect from the Senate Health Bill -The Wonk Room

When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) unveils the merged Senate bill and its CBO score this afternoon at 5pm to the Democratic caucus, he will not have the commitment of all 60 senators for a procedural vote to begin considering the legislation on the Senate floor. Reid remains "cautiously optimistic" that the Senate will start considering the bill on Friday, although several Senate moderates have insisted on taking 72 hours to review the legislation before voting to start debate.