By ERICA WERNER,AP
Pelosi pushes a more liberal version of Obamacare forward
House Democrats reached agreement Wednesday on key elements of a health care bill that would vastly alter America’s medical landscape,requiring virtually universal sign-ups and establishing a new government-run insurance option for millions.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi planned a formal announcement Thursday morning,but details were still being finalized,lawmakers and aides said. Officials said the legislation could be up for a vote on the House floor next week.
The rollout would cap months of arduous negotiations to bridge differences between liberal and moderate Democrats and blend health care overhaul bills passed by three separate committees over the summer. The developments in the House came as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,D-Nev.,tried to round up support among moderate Democrats for his bill,which includes a modified government insurance option that states could opt out of.
Reid met Thursday with Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln,who faces a potentially tough re-election next year.