The Senate has only today left to hammer out a potential health reform package before it goes on summer recess.
The House committees responsible for a health reform package produced their version before they left Washington on recess last week. That bill still needs to face a House floor vote after Sept. 8, when Congress returns.
As pressure mounts to produce a comprehensive health reform bill that can gain bipartisan support, President Barack Obama has taken once again to the road to campaign the cause at small town meetings throughout the country.
Several of these town meetings have been disrupted by what Democrats are calling "mobs" of disgruntled Americans opposing Obama's health reform plans. The Democrats are accusing the Republicans of staging these demonstrations.
Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told Republicans Wednesday in an e-mail that Democrats are accusing them of being "right-wing extremists."
"We saw this sort of vitriolic rhetoric this past April when Democrats smugly dismissed grassroots protests against their out-of-control spending," Steele said. "These tea parties were ruthlessly mocked by the liberal elites and the mainstream media."
"Now as public support for the Obama Democrats' government-run healthcare plan unravels, they're using this fear-and-smear tactic to silence ANY American who disagrees with their risky scheme to nationalize one-fifth of our economy and limit your healthcare choices," he added.
Despite partisan scrapping outside of Washington, Obama is determined to help the Senate Finance Committee push through with a bill. On Thursday, he was on Capitol Hill helping to mediate differences and promote his cause.
Observers say the Senate Finance Committee will face the most difficult obstacles approving a package. Some of the president's major elements of reform, such as the option for a government-run health plan, may be lost in the battle.
Congress has promised the president they will try to pass a bill by Oct. 1.
Photo by cliff1066 obtained under Creative Commons license.