A new vote on healthcare reform will not affect the bill’s controversial mandate for universal coverage.
Rather, it reflects friction toward student loan reforms, according to a recent report by the New York Times. Currently, the legislation aims to increase the size of the Pell grant program in order to keep up with inflation rates. Eliminating lenders’ subsidies would provide some of the funds necessary for this increase.
Congressmen have disagreed over legislation preventing maximum award reductions, according to the report.
These changes were part of the budget reconciliation bill put forth by the Senate Budget Committee. A spokeswoman for Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, indicated that passing the revised bill would not be a problem.
"These changes do not impact the reforms to the student loan programs and the important investments in education," spokewoman Kate Cyrul told the Times. ‘We are confident the House will quickly pass the bill with these minor changes."
The Senate-passed healthcare reform bill was approved by the House of Representatives through a 219 to 212 vote this weekend. It was then sent back to the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama.
