Lincoln to support Senate’s health care bill

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., said during a Sunday afternoon conference call with reporters that she will support the Senate compromise legislation on national health care changes.

“I will vote for the Senate health care bill because it will help with health care costs,” Lincoln said, according to a report from Roby Brock, a content partner with The City Wire.

Key votes on the legislation are expected Monday (Dec. 21).

Lincoln said the changes made as part of a negotiating process that has engulfed the Senate during the past two weeks will improve health care for Arkansans by expanding health care coverage, forcing changes among insurance companies, not adding to the federal deficit and not including a public option or expanded government role in health insurance.

A Dec. 19 Congressional Budget Office cost estimate suggested the Senate’s bill could lower the federal deficit by $132 billion over the next 10 years, was one of the biggest reasons for winning her support.

“I’m proud to support the Senate’s final version, this final proposal,” she said.

Lincoln was part of a group of 10 U.S. Senators who helped negotiate a compromise between liberals and moderates.  Besides Lincoln, the three other moderate Senators were Sens. Landrieu (D-La.), Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Nelson (D-Neb.). Arkansas’ other Senator, Mark Pryor, was a co-moderator of the compromise talks, according to Lincoln.

Link here for the full report from Roby Brock at TalkBusiness.net.