Close To A Vote
By: Import User
Updated: January 18, 2010
After a late-night meeting at the White House and another one Friday afternoon Washington could be close to sealing the deal on a health care deal.
Democrats negotiating over health care left the white house at 1 am then headed back Friday afternoon.
"Finding common ground - that's what we're in the process of doing," said house speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Working through differences on abortion, immigration, the insurance exchange and taxing expensive health care plans held by many union workers.
The White House has agreed to delay those taxes till 2018, and denies unions got special treatment.
"The administration didn't believe it made any sense to treat businesses, industry, insurance companies different than they treat workers," said White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs.
The AFL-CIO says the deal makes health care more affordable for working families.
Here's why democrats are under pressure to get this done.
Scott Brown, the republican running for Ted Kennedy’s senate seat, is four points ahead in one poll which means come Tuesday, democrats could lose the slim majority they need to pass health reform.
President Obama’s headed to Massachusetts Sunday to campaign for democrat Martha Coakley.
"I think the President believes he can be helpful, so he was happy to accept the invitation," Gibbs said.
Also this weekend there could be more behind-the-scenes health care meetings in Washington.
Democrats may need to announce a deal before Massachusetts certifies its election results in two weeks.
