Sen. Johnson Comments on Health Care Reform

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South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson says the health care bill may need some paring back to get meaningful reform in light of Republican Scott Brown's upset election to Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat in Massachusetts.

Brown's win gives Senate Republicans the 41st vote they need to sustain a filibuster, which could block President Barack Obama from pushing his health care bill through the chamber.

Johnson says passing health care reform now will not be an easy process

“Something that has been talked about prematurely is having the house accepting the senate bill and sending the bill under the president without need for the Senate to take another vote,” says Johnson.

Johnson says he would be surprised if the house did it.  Under that scenario, changes could be added later using reconciliation, a process which would require only a 51 vote majority.

The issue will be discussed at caucus.  Another option could include cutting back on benefits.