President Obama and fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats in the House reached what one of the Democrats, Rep. Mike Ross, called a "small breakthrough" on one of 10 contentious issues that threatens to torpedo a major health care reform bill.
The Blue Dogs hold a large number of seats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which canceled a vote Tuesday on health care reform legislation. Obama and seven members of the coalition agreed in principle to create what he called an independent Medicare Advisory Council, Ross said.
The Arkansas Democrat thinks the council could help defray health costs and achieve better equity in the legislation.
Ross told FOX News the council would be comprised of public and private citizens. But he conceded that it would take "a number of amendments" to jump start the health care bill now stalled in the House.
The idea could meet a cool reception in the Senate where key Republican senators would prefer congressional oversight of Medicare spending.
Ross pointed to former Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, as what he called the "poster-child" for helping adjust Medicare payments to rural areas. Ross says Stevens secured a 35 percent Medicare increase for Alaska just before he left the Senate early this year.
Blue Dog Democrats have blocked the House Democratic leadership from securing enough votes to approve the bill. Concerns about the legislation's cost, proposed tax increases and the speed that Congress was moving the health care package have forced the president and Democratic leaders to court their votes.
Some moderate Democrats are still smarting from their vote last month on a controversial climate and energy bill. Republicans are trying to target vulnerable lawmakers who voted for what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., describes as her "flagship issue." - FOX News Story
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