We’ve known for a long time now that, as soon as the Senate Finance Committee reports out a health care bill, Majority Leader Harry Reid, along with Finance chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate HELP Committee chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), and White House officials will sit down to produce a single piece of legislation to bring to the floor.
And we’ve known for a long time now that the White House’s role in the negotiations will be key. Already, Senate aides are letting it be known that the White House will have to lead on all the issues around which Democrats have been unable to find consensus–issues like the public option.
So which White House players are likely to be in the room? Roll Call reports:
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Nancy Ann DeParle, Obama’s chief health care adviser, are expected to be at the table throughout the talks. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag also is set to play a role, primarily on issues where health care and the federal budget intersect.
That’s an interesting set, particularly considering that Emanuel has been the White House official most linked to the idea of including a triggered public option in the final health care bill. And that’s to say nothing about his famous, or infamous, force of personality.
The shape of the legislation that comes out of those discussions will likely have a determinative effect on what’s in the bill the President actually signs. So we’ll be watching closely.
