President Barack Obama is calling on Congress to schedule a vote on healthcare reform.
"This comes after nearly a year of debate, as well as a seven-hour summit with Democrats and Republicans where we had a public and substantive discussion on healthcare," he said in his weekly address on Saturday.
Obama released on Feb. 22 his own healthcare reform proposal, which he claims would build off the Senate bill, bridge key differences between the House and Senate bills and incorporate Republican provisions that strengthen the proposal.
The proposal includes tax credits for small businesses to purchase coverage, makes it possible for people with pre-existing conditions to purchase coverage, and stops insurance companies from imposing lifetime caps or annual limits on the amount of care people receive.
"Republicans in Congress insist that the only acceptable course on healthcare is to start over," Obama said. "But...the insurance companies aren't starting over. I just met with some of them on Thursday and they couldn't give me a straight answer as to why they keep arbitrarily and massively raising premiums."
Rep. Phil Gingey, MD (R-Ga.) said he is "deeply concerned" about what would be in a final bill considered by Congress.
"We are three weeks away from the start of Easter recess and Democrats seemingly remain committed to trying to pass their healthcare monstrosity before Congress adjourns for two weeks," he said. "Right now, we're hearing that the House will try and pass the Senate bill, with a set of changes agreed to by both Houses of Congress."
According to Gingrey, top concerns for Republicans would be the use of federal funding to pay for abortions and the public option.
Democrats may be able to call a simple majority vote on the bill through a mechanism called reconciliation. Republicans claim reconciliation was never intended to be used for major policy reform.