Senate Democrats are working to merge several health care reform bills into one sweeping measure that will curb costs, regulate insurers and expand coverage.

The big question is whether or not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will push for a public option that forces private insurance companies to compete with the government.
    
The bill the Senate Finance Committee passed earlier this week does not include the public option.
    
However, Senate liberals pushed for it in a closed door meeting Thursday and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists a final House bill will include a public option.
    
Meanwhile, Reid is set to hold a test vote to prevent cuts to Medicare costs.
    
The $247 billion bill is seen as part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul plan.

It would be funded with more federal borrowing, raising objections from Republicans and some deficit-conscious Democrats. 

"It's not fiscally responsible," Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said. "I could not vote for a bill that raises the deficit by $240 billion, not at a time when we are already hemorrhaging red ink."