Obama to work to solidify support for health bill

[a kennedy]

Dec 15, 6:17 AM EST By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After months of turmoil, President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats are reaching for the unity they need to pass health care legislation by Christmas, but without the government-run insurance program that liberals have long sought.

Even an expansion of Medicare, initially proposed as a backup to the government option, appeared unlikely to survive following a closed-door senators-only meeting called to consider trade-offs necessary to assure 60 votes for the bill.

"Put me down tonight as encouraged about the direction these talks are going," Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., said late Monday, only 24 hours after he rattled Democrats by threatening to oppose the legislation over the Medicare provision.

Obama invited all Senate Democrats to the White House for a meeting Tuesday afternoon that held promise of a unity event. Obama needs every one of them to hang together to give him the 60 votes required to overcome stalling tactics from Republicans united in opposition to the sweeping health overhaul measure.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., promised to deliver.

"I'm confident that by next week we will be on our way toward final passage of a bill that saves lives, saves money and saves Medicare," Reid told reporters after Monday night's meeting.

<http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_CARE_OVERHAUL?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME>

[Captain Hilts]

1. I wish he'd work for a solid healthcare bill. nt

[Kdillard]

2. Good we need to get this closed and move on.

[swilton]

3. Too little, too late

This bill is a subsidy to the health insurance industry - look at their stocks rise. I hope it fails.

[Old Codger]

4. Day Late

and lot of dollars short....should have been riding this from day one if he really wanted what he said he wanted e have been punked again.

[chimpymustgo]

5. +1. This bill needs to die.

[Clio the Leo]

6. If I cant see it....

.... it must not be happening. Right?

We must hang together now or will all hang separately.