Some Democratic lawmakers are pushing to include a public health insurance option in a future budget reconciliation bill that would require only a simple majority to pass.
Aides are confident they can win support from both progressive and conservative Democrats, but analysts predict that they’ll face a “narrow path to success.”
As the COVID-19 relief bill works its way through Congress, some Democratic lawmakers are already eyeing future legislation with more substantial health care changes — including a public option.
The House passed its $1.9 trillion relief bill, which includes temporary health coverage expansions, over the weekend, and the Senate is scrambling to send a final package to President Joe Biden’s desk by March 14. At the same time, a group of congressional Democrats led by Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Michael Bennet of Colorado are gearing up to push legislation that would introduce a public health insurance option as part of a plan they’ve dubbed “Medicare-X,” with the hopes of including it in a future reconciliation bill expected to focus on economic recovery and infrastructure.