Specter says Senate will modify health care bill

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) today said that the Senate would take a hard look at health care legislation to ensure it will not add to the budget deficit.

Specter disagreed with Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) who on Sunday said the House version of the health care legislation was "dead on arrival to the Senate."

Specter said he expected that the Senate will review the legislation and make needed "modifications." He did not specify any of those changes. Specter said he is especially concerned that the bill not contribute to the federal deficit.

Specter also reiterated his support for a public option on health care, which he disclosed at a town-hall meeting at Drexel University in August.

A public option, Specter said today "will not mean that private insurance companies are gone."

Specter also said that he will push to criminalize Medicare and Medicaid fraud so offenders receive jail sentences.

Specter's comments came to reporters following a hearing on veteran's issues at the National Constitution Center.

Contact staff writer Olivia Biagi at 215-854-5626 or obiagi@phillynews.com.