Senate may pass health care bill

Here’s something to strike fear into your heart:

Rumbles of a deal on a government-run insurer and fading public attention have left some Republicans increasingly anxious that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is close to the 60 votes he needs to pass health care reform.

Reid suggested Monday that the Senate endgame may be near. “We’re there,” he reportedly said.

“At the beginning of this debate the Democrats were 3 to 4 votes shy of passing this bill. They seem to feel now that they are only one vote shy,” said a GOP Senate aide. “The anxiety levels are very high on the GOP side.”

The Democrats need 60 votes to end debate on the health care bill. Four key senators — Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.; Mary Landrieu, D-La.; Ben Nelson, D-Neb.; and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. — were wavering.

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