The New Media Journal | Deficit, Disclosure Delays Senate Vote on Health-Care Plan

The New Media Journal | Deficit, Disclosure Delays Senate Vote on Health-Care Plan: "Senate Democrats are facing another round of delays in their effort to expand Americans’ access to health care because of concern over the cost of the plan and demands that they disclose more about it.

The Senate Finance Committee has yet to vote on its bill as it waits for the Congressional Budget Office to assess the cost. And a group of eight Democrats whose votes may be crucial to final passage urged that the public be given more time to read new drafts of the legislation.

Adding to the unease was the disclosure last night by a congressional panel that it underestimated the fees that drug companies, insurers and medical device makers would pay toward the overhaul. The industries would be assessed $29 billion more than first calculated, the Joint Committee on Taxation said.

“I want to wait until all the stuff is on the table” before deciding how to vote on the finance panel bill, Senator Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, said yesterday afternoon. He said he needs to see the CBO analysis first.

These obstacles may thwart plans by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to start debate in the full Senate next week and get the final legislation to President Barack Obama before the Nov. 26 Thanksgiving holiday. Reid is already coping with friction among fellow Democrats over issues such as whether to create a government-run program to compete with private insurers."