Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), a moderate Democrat who has been critical of how his party has handled health reform efforts, said that he would vote to advance a bill during a crucial weekend test vote.
Nelson has long been coy about how he would vote on a procedural measure meant to move a bill to the debate stage. That vote is expected to take place Saturday night, with Democrats needing 60 members to vote in favor of the measure. No Republicans are expected to vote in favor of the bill. “Throughout my Senate career, I have consistently rejected efforts to obstruct,” Nelson said in a statement. “That's what the vote on the motion to proceed is all about.”
With Nelson's nod, only two remaining Democrats—Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas—have not indicated how they would vote.
All three have expressed a number of misgivings over hot-button issues included in the bill such as a public health insurance option, abortion language and overall cost and affordability provisions. Senate leaders over the past several months have given all three moderates the hard sell.
Lincoln, who is in a tough re-election battle in a conservative state, has been courted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Barack Obama in hopes of getting to the 60-vote threshold.
“I've only been asked 30 or 40 times, ‘Do you have the 60 votes?” Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), the second highest-ranking Democrat, said. “We're not assuming a thing. We're working hard to bring all the Democrats together for the 60 votes to proceed to this historic debate.”
Earlier this week, Reid released a 10-year, $848 billion bill that would ensure access to coverage to 94% of all Americans, while overhauling the much of the way the insurance industry currently does business.
What do you think? Post a comment on this article and share your opinion with other readers. Submit your comments to Modern Healthcare Online at
mheditorial@modernhealthcare.com. Please be sure to include your hometown and state, along with your organization and title.
