Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has “predicted that healthcare reform in the upper chamber would shift from its current construction, which allows states to opt out of a public option, to a version that forces states to opt into such a plan,” The Hill reports.
"I think it’s falling into an opt-in, versus opt-out," Whitehouse said during an appearance on MSNBC. "You have a public option, but it’s up to a state to take an affirmative act to take advantage of it."
Whitehouse expects the health reform measure on the Senate floor for quite some time.
The Rhode Island Democrat asserted that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) probably has enough votes to bring the bill to the floor, where a number of lawmakers will be allowed to attempt amendments to the legislation.
But Whitehouse also suggested that the process would be drawn out, extending well into December and before the holiday recess.
"I’m betting on doing my Christmas shopping on the internet," he said.
(credit image – getty)
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