GOP Aide: Senate Dems 'Shoving' Health Care Bill Down Republicans' Throat

As Republicans on Sen. Edward Kennedy's committee meet for the first time behind closed doors to hear options on how to overhaul the health care system, one GOP staff member inside the meeting says things are not going well.

The GOP aide on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee said Democrats are "shoving" Kennedy's bill down Republicans' throats without considering their ideas.

Kennedy, D-Mass., the ailing chairman of the committee, has not yet returned to Washington this month but continues to work behind the scenes through colleagues and staff.

A copy of Kennedy's draft bill was first obtained by FOX News last week and revealed a push for universal health care with penalties for employers who do not contribute.

Anthony Coley, a Kennedy spokesman, told FOX News that Republicans have been "offering input all along with way" and said Wednesday's meeting was merely to outline options.

"There is no bill," Coley said.

Republicans have, by and large, refused to countenance a so-called "public option," or government-run health care, and at least one Senate Democrat, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, has crafted a compromise that is being seriously considered by some of his Democratic colleagues, anxious to see a bipartisan solution.

Conrad, a moderate Democrat and member of the Finance Committee, has proposed a system of nonprofit "cooperatives" that would allow consumers to ban together to purchase health benefits. Conrad is aware that some of his fellow moderates are not keen on the "public option," including Sen Ben Nelson, D-Neb, who has said he opposes it.

Senate Democratic leaders have outlined a tough schedule moving forward to have one, synthesized health care bill ready to go on the Senate floor by July, with final passage by August recess.

Coley said Thursday will be the first open hearing on the "options", a hearing that could possibly spill into Friday. Next Tuesday will be the start of an expected two-week process of crafting a bill.

In September, the House and Senate are expected to work on putting together a compromise piece of legislation that the president has said he hopes will make it to his desk by October.