WASHINGTON -- For months, we've been waiting to find out what will ultimately be in this health care reform bill.
That time is finally here.
Senate leaders are now going to have to somehow, someway mold the two Senate versions that are out there into one. Once the Finance committee passes their version, then you have this other version already passed by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
There are a few big differences between these bills. For example, the HELP Committee bill has the public option in it, the Finance Committee bill doesn't.
Also, the HELP Committee bill has a whole lot more federal money going to help poor people get insurance.
Bottom line: look for some sort of hybrid bill on the Senate floor next week. It may or may not have the public option in it. We just don't know.
But what we do know is that either way, Senators are either going to try to remove the public option or add it to the bill when it hits the Senate floor next week.
Also, expect the debate to center on this $1,900 tax that will be imposed on certain people who don't buy health insurance.
Republicans and even some Democrats are saying that part of the bill breaks the president's pledge of not raising taxes on the middle class.