Looking ahead on the health care debate

The next steps for health care legislation:

In the House:

The Democratic leadership was to unveil legislation on Thursday after months of negotiations on merging three bills approved earlier this year by separate committees. The Congressional Budget Office will prepare an analysis of the cost, and Democratic leaders have the right to prepare an amendment relating to abortion and other issues. A vote in the full House could be held by the end of next week, with a simple majority required for passage. Democrats have not said whether they will allow Republicans to present an alternative on the House floor.

In the Senate:

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says he will begin debate on health care legislation once he receives cost estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. Republicans have threatened to filibuster the effort, and if they do, it will take 60 votes to overcome their opposition. Full debate could take weeks.