Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sen. Johanns: new health care reform bill not a bipartisan effort

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Omaha, NE – Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns believes a new health care reform bill won't have bipartisan support.

President Obama introduced a new health care reform package earlier this week. The $900 billion legislation would ban insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. It also calls for opening the marketplace for small businesses and individuals to buy health insurance. But Senator Johanns says the new health care bill isn't much different than the previous reform measure. He believes it doesn't address the underlying problems and it certainly doesn't make the bill bipartisan.

Johanns says he hoped reconciliation wouldn't be an option to pass the new health care legislation. Reconciliation means a bill can be passed with 51 votes instead of 60.

Senator Johanns' comments came Thursday during his weekly conference call with reporters.