Democrats Trade Off To Get 60 Health Care Votes

by Julie Rovner, NPR

Senate Democratic leaders all but decided Monday night to scrap the so-called "Medicare buy-in," a proposal to let those age 55 to 64 purchase coverage in the Medicare program early. The problem? Opposition from Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman who threatened to cost them the critical 60th vote they needed to overcome a threatened Republican filibuster.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, December 15, 2009