AP Interview: Collins says health bill possible within 6 weeks if bickering can be put aside
By APThursday, February 18, 2010
AP Interview: Collins hopeful on new health bill
PORTLAND, Maine — Sen. Susan Collins says a federal health care reform bill could be passed within six weeks, but only if partisan bickering is put aside.
Collins, R-Maine, told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that she is optimistic that a new bill will come out of next week’s bipartisan White House health care summit.
Collins says there is widespread support among senators of both parties for a bill that includes tax credits for small businesses and the self-employed, cost-containment measures, insurance market reforms and a focus on wellness and health-promotion programs.
She says the gridlock and bitter rhetoric that has dominated the debate has concealed the fact there are many “significant reforms” that both parties agree on.
