Breakdown of health care reform plans from House and Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senate Democrats must make amendments if they want to pass a health care reform bill.  As the debate continued on Capitol Hill.  Yesterday, sticking points over key issues caused the Democratic Party to lose some support.  

Some Democratic senators want tighter restrictions on abortion coverage and then others are split on whether or not to include a public option.  

If amendments aren't made, Republicans aren't likely to cross party lines. And Democrats who are on the fence probably won't vote to pass the legislation.

We've put together a comparison of the sticking point issues being debated right now on Capitol Hill.

The House version of the bill outlines these regulations when it comes to abortion coverage: The government plan would prohibit subsidies from being used to purchase a health care plan that covers abortions.  

The only exceptions would be in a case where the life of the mother needs to be saved, rape or incest. 

Any coverage for abortions must be paid completely with private funds.

The Senate version language is similar. Premiums and subsidies can not be used to pay for abortion procedures. The bill would make exceptions to save the life of the mother, rape or incest. And any procedure would have to be paid for with private funding.

When it comes to the stipulations of the public option, the House version describes it as a co-op that would establish a non-profit, member run government exchange program.            

It must meet the same requirements as a private plan would regarding benefit levels, provider networks, consumer protection and cost sharing.

The House version would also develop new payment methods and bundle plans differently according to need.

The Senate version is somewhat similar, but instead of insurance cooperatives, it would create a series of non-profit member run health insurance companies that are more state-based.

The state requirements for benefits would be similar to private insurance company benefits regarding renewability and insurance rating rules.            

The Senate version also focuses on payment efficiency and coming up with a way for payments to pass savings onto consumers.

Both of the plans would require most individuals to have insurance coverage, with a few exceptions. They would also require employers to provide insurance or pay into the government program.               

Both plans require individuals to have acceptable coverage, or else pay a tax or yearly fee.