Speaking after a closed door meeting with bickering Senate Democrats, President Obama this afternoon said they are on the verge of an agreement on health care but that more work needed to be done.
“There are still some differences that have to be worked on. This was not a roll call. This was a broad-based discussion about how to move forward,” Obama told reporters, according to the website Politico.
Speaking from the Roosevelt Room, he said the Senate was almost ready to achieve their health care goals, which he called, “an achievement that’s eluded congresses and presidents for generations, an achievement that will touch the lives of every American.”
He said there was a “broad consensus around reforms that will, number one, protect Americans against the worst practices” of the health insurance industry, according to Politico.
“We agree on reforms that will finally reduce the costs of health care,” he said.
The meeting was Obama’s last ditch attempt to rouse the Senate Democrats – who have been unable to reach a compromise plan that would be backed by both the moderate and liberal members of the caucus – after weeks of inter-party feuding.
Because the health care overhaul is expected to draw no support from Senate Republicans, any legislation put forward will need every Democrat to vote for it.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent who typically caucuses with the Democrats, said on Sunday he could not support Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid’s most recent health care proposal because he disagreed with a provision to expand Medicare.
The Medicare expansion was added as a compromise to Democrats who supported the public option, but on Monday several senators indicated they were willing to drop it to garner Lieberman’s crucial vote.
With Medicare off the table, Lieberman prepared ready to back the proposal put forth by the Democrats.
“I’m getting to a position where I can say what I wanted to say all along: that I’m ready to vote for health care reform,” the Connecticut Senator told reporters today.
But even with Lieberman on board, other issues remain before the Democrats can act as a unified front.
Sen. Ben Nelson — who wants stronger language ensuring that federal money will not fund abortions — said he is not ready to sign off on anything.
“I have spoken with the president and he knows they are not wrapped up today,” Nelson, a pro-life Democrat from Nebraska, said.
Prior to today’s meeting with Senate Democrats, Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said Obama will urge the Democrats to act now.
“President Obama will tell senators that that they’ve come much farther than any previous reform effort, and that the lion’s share of the work is behind us,” said Pfeiffer.
“He’ll underscore that now is the time to come together and finish shaping legislation that will garner 60 votes and pass the Senate in short order.”
Obama will stress that he wants the legislation passed now, said Pfeiffer.
“He will make it clear that the American people should not have to wait another decade or more for legislation,” Pfeiffer said.