Lieberman - Dems Lack Votes to Pass Reform Bill
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) claims that the Democrats are short two votes needed to pass the healthcare reform bill currently pending in the Senate. As previously reported, without GOP support Democrats need all 60 votes to defeat a Republican filibuster – a seemingly impossible task, given that no GOP member supports the bill in its current form.
In an interview Sunday with “Face the Nation,” Lieberman claims that provisions in the bill which expand the Medicare program, create a national public option, and begin a new publicly administered long-term care insurance program are thwarting the legislation. If left out, however, Lieberman said the bill could gain votes. He added that even if the provisions were dropped, the remaining legislation is solid enough to improve the health care infrastructure and make significant changes.
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) also appeared with Lieberman on “Face the Nation” and echoed the independent senator’s sentiments. Nelson added that he is concerned that a Medicare buy-in provision (i.e., allowing adults in their 50s and early 60s to buy into Medicare as a way to expand their coverage options) would be a “forerunner of [a single-payor program]” and that stronger anti-abortion language is needed in order to gain his vote.
