That’s what some of the key players think.
Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both moderate Maine Republicans, were asked if the health care reform bill might have to wait until 2010 for a floor vote, even though President Barack Obama wants it done this year.
“Certainly, it could,” Snowe said. “It wouldn’t surprise me.”
Senate Democratic leaders have not yet hammered out the legislative details of their plan yet, and once they do, the Congressional Budget Office will need time to determine how much it will cost before it can come to the floor (although some senate leadership aides have suggested the debate could begin while CBO is working on the score).
Snowe said she believes the bill is so huge and complex, “there should be tutorials on it before we begin the debate.”
Democratic leaders and the White House are courting Snowe for what could be the lone Republican vote on the bill so they can’t just ignore her please for more time.
Collins is also hoping to sign on to a bill and she is working with moderate Democrats on a series of amendments everyone can agree on. She also wants ample time for a floor debate.
“I would hope this bill would be on the floor for more than a month,” Collins said.
