Senate Democrats May Split Healthcare Bill to Ensure Passage

The Wall Street Journal (8/20, Weisman, Bendavid) reports in a front page story that the White House and Senate Democratic leaders have revised their strategy for passing healthcare reform legislation.

Under the new plan, Senate Democrats would split the measure into two parts; the first part, for which some Republican support is expected, would cover new insurance industry regulations. Democrats would pass the second part, which could include provision for a public option or other expensive proposals, under the budget reconciliation procedure, which would only require 51 votes.