Dems push for health bill changes

House Democrats have said that they will insist on changes to the Senate healthcare legislation, but it is unknown how much influence they will have in negotiations. The Senate Democrats cannot spare one vote without jeopardizing the bill's passage, and the White House also carries significant influence in reaching a final version, according to the New York Times.

The paper reports that aides have said that the White House will convene staff meetings of both the Senate and House as early as Jan. 6 to deal with the easier differences between the two bills. Democrats in the House said they would do without the "public option" if there are enough guarantees that other methods will increase options for consumers and place greater restrictions on insurance companies.