Democrats’ strategy for merging health care reform bills began to unravel under growing attacks Wednesday, including unexpected criticism from Colorado’s two Democratic senators.

Final negotiations on merging the bills began in earnest Wednesday as congressional leaders spent more than eight hours behind closed doors at the White House using a process that bypasses a formal conference committee and cuts out Republican participation.

They dug into a series of sticky issues that separate the two versions of the bill passed by the House and the Senate — including abortion, access to health insurance by illegal immigrants, and how to pay for the sweeping legislation, which will insure an estimated 37 million Americans over the next decade.

» Continue reading “Colorado’s 2 senators criticize closed-door talks on health care reform”

Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander released a statement this morning saying the Senate-approved health care bill is riddled with “sweetheart deals” that will increase taxes and damage education.

Fellow Republican, Sen. Bob Corker, said the bill is “fundamentally flawed” and called for bipartisanship.

The bill, approved on a 60-39 vote, must still be merged with legislation passed by the House.

“The Senate health bill will prove to be an historic mistake if this or anything like it is ultimately signed by the president,” said Alexander, who is chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

» Continue reading “Alexander, Corker criticize passage of Senate health care bill”