House and Senate Continue Health Care Debate

House leaders are set to meet today to discuss many of the details of their health care overhaul, including whether to include a public insurance option in the package, while Senate Finance Committee’s health care markup now appears likely to spill over into next week. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA.) has been reluctant to disclose details about the shape and timing of the bill.

The Senate Finance Committee’s health care markup now appears likely to spill over into next week, due in large part to the sheer number of amendments filed against Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-MT) bill. The markup continued apace Thursday, with Finance members bracing for a third consecutive late night of amendment consideration, as well as a Friday session. But Baucus, who had hoped to conclude the markup by week’s end, hedged when asked if that goal would be met. Still, the Finance chairman said he was happy with the progress on his $900 billion plan so far.

The “public option” remains a major point of contention as Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is set to offer an amendment to replace the bill’s nonprofit health insurance cooperatives with a public insurance option. Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) said Republicans would likely offer more than 100 amendments before the markup concludes.