Businesses to Push for Modifications to Senate-Approved Health Bill

The Senate bill, which passed 60-39 on Christmas Eve with no Republican backing, has drawn tentative support from some large corporations and industry groups, despite containing a range of provisions that they hope to change. By contrast, businesses of all sizes oppose the House bill, which contains more-stringent requirements on employers to offer health coverage to employees.

Leaders of the two chambers of Congress plan to meet in January with the aim of cobbling together a final health-care bill. Both the Senate and House would need to pass that final version, before it goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The support of business leaders isn't critical for passage, but it could help Democrats blunt Republican criticism that their bill is bad for the economy.

Many of the country's biggest employers have raised alarms over a provision in the Senate bill that would tax a government subsidy on retiree drug benefits. The move could force an accounting step that would require hundreds of companies to sharply lower their earnings next year.

Big businesses also worry that new taxes and fees proposed in both versions of the health legislation could come years before measures meant to contain wasteful spending in the delivery of health care by doctors and hospitals take effect.