WASHINGTON DC 25 Feb 2010 US president plans bipartisan powwow on health care

Congressional wrangling and the recent loss of the filibuster-proof majority previously held by the Democratic Party in Congress threaten Democratic President Barak Obama's plan to fix the country's healthcare system, regarded as the top domestic priority of his presidency. His invitation to opposition Republicans to a televised healthcare debate in February is seen as recognition that reform won't go anywhere without some bipartisan support.

Obama challenged Republicans, who are mainly opposed to his proposals, to bring their best ideas for healthcare reform to the conference.

Republican Scott Brown recently won the Senate seat for Massachusetts on his campaign against what he called the Democratic Party's costly government takeover of the healthcare system. His win left Democrats without the 60 votes they need for filibuster-proof legislation.

White House officials deny the debate signifies that the president is ready to begin building a new proposal. He has been hammered by critics on both sides. Liberals in his own party see the reform proposals as they stand as too little. Conservatives see them as too much. Feb/10

RELATED READING:

Obama invites GOP to health care reform summit (Washington Post 7 Feb 2010)
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/