Senate to vote on health amendments over weekend

The Senate will hold votes on amendments to its healthcare reform bill on Saturday and Sunday, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Friday.

In addition to debating several amendments over the unusual full-weekend session, Reid indicated that Senate Democrats may convene for a caucus meeting to discuss the healthcare bill Sunday.

When the Senate meets Saturday at 10 a.m., debate will commence on an amendment sponsored by Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) to limit compensation for health insurance executives and an unspecific Republican amendment; votes are slated for about 2:30 p.m. Further amendments will be debated Sunday starting around noon, with votes scheduled for around 6 p.m.

SOURCE: The Hill

Moderates seek greater health care cost controls

With the knowledge of Reid and the White House, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., along with Democratic Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Warner of Va., are taking the lead in crafting a compromise. The idea remains a work in progress, but the three presented the outlines Thursday evening in a private meeting with Landrieu, Lieberman and about a half-dozen other moderates.

As described by Carper and Begich, the compromise would put a nonprofit insurance option in place only in states that didn't meet certain criteria for affordability and access. Instead of being controlled by the government, the plan could be run by a nonprofit board, and any initial government startup money would be repaid.

Lieberman left the meeting early and said his position hadn't altered.

"Generally speaking, I didn't hear anything that changes my mind," Lieberman said.

Others were more optimistic.

SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News