Senate Democrats are still working out their differences in order to pass health care legislation.

Senate Democrats are still working out their differences in order to pass health care legislation.
 
Democrats in the Senate are moving closer to resolving the differences that hold up their version of the health care bill, reports the Associated Press. President Barack Obama called for a vote on the measure before Christmas.
 
The party needs at least 60 votes to pass the bill, but disagreements over the public option and Medicare expansion have slowed progress.
 
Senators were recently prodded for progress. Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut was quoted as saying, "Put me down tonight as encouraged about the direction these talks are going." He previously stated that he'd fight against any Medicare provision in the bill.
 
Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "I'm confident that by next week we will be on our way toward final passage of a bill that saves lives, saves money and saves Medicare."
 
President Obama will meet with all of the Dems in the Senate today to attempt to unify the vote.
 
Several key issues have been at the root of the Senate liberals disagreements, including Medicare expansion which was thrown into the discussion after the public option was eliminated, and abortion and Canadian drug importation.

--Whitney Teal

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