July 31st, 2009

Reports Reuters:

President Barack Obama’s drive for U.S. healthcare reform suffered another setback on Thursday when Senate Finance Committee leaders said the panel would not vote on a compromise plan before senators leave for a month-long August recess next week.

Committee Chairman Max Baucus said there had not been sufficient progress to complete the healthcare bill by the end of next week but talks between three Democrats and three Republicans on the panel would continue.

…

With polls showing public support for Obama’s healthcare reform plans waning, the Senate delay was another dose of bad news for his hopes to gain approval for a bill that will lower healthcare costs and expand coverage to the uninsured.

“The bill is not ready for prime time,” Republican Senator Michael Enzi, one of the party’s three negotiators, told reporters.

The delay could increase pressure on Baucus and Senate Democratic leaders to jettison the bipartisan talks and move forward without Republican support.

Find out more from Reuters.