Feingold: Health reform could pass by Christmas

Associated Press
July 30, 2009

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Sen. Russ Feingold says Christmas is a realistic deadline for getting health care reform passed through both houses of Congress.

Feingold says President Barack Obama's original goal of having approval by next month was unrealistic because it didn't give lawmakers and the public enough time to understand the details.

He says if a bill is passed, "it's going to be right down to the wire around Christmas."

The Wisconsin Democrat says he wants any bill to include a public health insurance option to compete with private insurers and cover those without insurance.

Feingold says he hopes any reform is passed with bipartisan support so that it's more acceptable to constituents. At the same time, he says he won't support a watered-down bill that "is just a label."

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