As congressional Democrats attempt to reconcile the Senate and House healthcare bills, it appears increasingly likely they will forgo the formal conference committee process. Instead, Democratic leaders are considering opting for closed-door negotiations between leaders from the two chambers. Huffington Post reports the basis for negotiations will be the Senate bill, to which the House can add amendments. The Senate bill lacks a public option for insurance coverage and contains a tax on expensive healthcare plans. Republicans, as well as progressive Democrats, have criticized the plan. Congressman Raul Grijalva, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said, “I and other progressives saw a conference as a means to improve the bill and have a real debate, and now with this behind-the-scenes approach, we’re concerned even more.”