House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate

    WASHINGTON (AP) - As the focus on health care reform shifts to the Senate, analysts aren’t expecting the chamber to pass an overhaul bill any time soon.
    Saturday’s close House vote passed a measure that includes a government health insurance plan. That provision is unacceptable to some Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate.
    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is already hinting that senators may not be able to finish health care this year.
    For now, he’s trying to find the votes for a different approach: a government plan that states could opt out of. He’s expected to keep meeting with senators this week.
    The goal is to work out a political formula that will give Reid not only the 60 votes needed to begin debate, but the 60 needed to shut off discussion and bring the bill to a final vote.
   
    (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)