Conrad ‘can see the outline of a compromise’ on health care bill

GRAND FORKS — Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said Wednesday that he “can see the outline of a compromise” on health care reform that could lead to legislation reaching the president’s desk by the end of the year if “all the stars align.”

The compromise bill melding House and Senate versions would be “based largely on the Senate Finance (Committee) bill” that he helped fashion, he said, including a not-for-profit cooperative alternative to private health insurance.

But “it also has a public option alternative, a public option not linked to Medicare levels of reimbursement,” Conrad said.

“I’ve always believed the bill that came out of (Senate) Finance had the best chance of getting adopted,” he said, “because it has the greatest chance of securing 60 votes,” the number of votes in the Senate that Democrats need to bring it to the floor and pass it over a Republican filibuster attempt.

“The reasons for that are that not only is it fully paid for in 10 years, but it also reduces the deficit in the second 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office,” Conrad said.

“It also does a good job of dealing with the issues involving those people who are here illegally. It does not allow those here illegally assistance. And it does not fund abortion … no taxpayer funding for abortion.”

Conrad said that the bill will not likely see a Senate floor vote this year, adding that “all the stars will have to align for that to happen.”

Chuck Haga is a reporter for the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald,

which is owned by

Forum Communications Co.

Tags: health care, news, national, bill, compromise