In late-breaking news from Washington Monday, health care reform wrangling is reaching a fever pitch.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a former Democrat turned independent, has reportedly withdrawn his prior support for a key provision of the reform bill. While Sen. Lieberman had publicly stated support for an expansion of Medicare and Medicaid in the past, he has now reversed that endorsement, raising concern over the viability of broader public health insurance and even the reform bill at large.

Sen. Lieberman comes from a state with a significant concentration of insurance companies. Another motivation may be the shifting political affiliations of the former Democratic vice presidential candidate.

However, on a morning TV program today, Vice President Joe Biden told "Morning Joe" roundtable participants on MSNBC, "There's an awful lot of gamesmanship going on," in the Senate health care debate. A veteran senator, the vice president said that last-minute shakeups on major policy issues are the norm rather than the exception.

Senate Democrats are planning to meet with the White House today.

Watch DOTmed News for updates and a weekly roundup on reform.

More Industry Headlines