Democrats splitting health care bill?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Democrats may be shifting their strategy on health reform by splitting the plan into two bills.

One bill would include the public option and would be passed by Democrats alone without Republican support. They could use technicality in procedure known as reconciliation to prevent any Republican filibuster of the bill in the Senate.

The second part of the bill would contain elements of the original bill that would prevent insurers from blocking people with pre-existing health conditions, or refusing to renew policies due to such conditions.

In a radio interview with Michael Smerconish today, Obama told a caller: "“I guarantee you we are going to get health care reform done.” Senate leader Harry Reid said yesterday that "we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary."