Bill Owens undecided on healthcare bill

Democratic Rep. Bill Owens (N.Y.) said Monday that he has not decided how he will vote on healthcare reform legislation.

Owens beat Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman in a heated special election contest last fall that gained national attention. The congressman was seated on Nov. 6, one day before the House voted on its healthcare reform bill, which passed 220-215 with Owens voting yes.

But Owens is now undecided pending the final language of the bill, according to WCAX TV. 

"My concerns at this point really go to issues related to making sure we cover as many people as possible, you know the Senate bill reduced the number that the House bill covered, there's some concern about taxing health care benefits, there's been some modifications made, but I haven't seen the final language of the bill," Owens said.

Democrats need 216 votes to pass healthcare legislation, instead of the 218 needed in November, because of four vacant seats that have opened since then.

They will likely proceed by passing the Senate's healthcare bill along with a package of fixes proposed by President Barack Obama. Some House Democrats, however, have balked at voting for the Senate bill because it contains language and provisions they oppose.