Fight over health care legislation begins as Democrats and Republicans negotiate

July 6, 1:11 PMPolitical Buzz ExaminerRyan Witt

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Charles Schumer a key democrat in negotiations.  AP Photo Harry Hamburg

While President Obama is away on a foreign policy trip and making speeches with Russian leaders the monumental health care bill is being negotiated by Republicans and Democrats on capitol hill.  A key point of contention has emerged in that the Democratic leadership like Charles Schumer favors a public option for health insurance while Republican leaders have called inclusion of the public option a "deal-breaker."

While President Obama has set August 8th as the date for a vote on health care reform now is likely the most crucial time in deciding whether legislation will be passed and what that legislation will look like.  This is reflected in the fact that the health care industry and advocacy are currently spending some 1.4 million dollars a day on lobbying efforts as the bill is being negotiated.

Hopefully President Obama has good cell phone reception on his blackberry and is intimately involved in these negotiations.  If Democrats give in to Republican demands to drop the public option one must ask if the health care bill will really represent any "reform" at all.  Democrats argue the public option is necessary to ensure that all Americans are covered and costs are contained.  Republicans argue forcing private insurance companies to compete against a public option would be unfair.  As negotiations move forward the coming weeks will be a real test of unity and resolve within the Democratic party.  If Republicans really demand no public option be included will Democrats give in to the minority opposition and compromise or tell the Republicans they can pass the bill without them?  The more important question may be whether Democrats can pass the legislation without some Republican support.  Keep checking this site as I will provide updates on any details coming out of the current negotiations.