As the Senate gets set to pass its health care reform bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," the small business community remains divided over some aspects of the complex legislation. Early Monday morning, the Senate voted 60 - 40 for cloture, which clears the way for final passage of the bill. Most experts believe the Senate bill will pass by Christmas. Once the Senate bill is passed, it will be reconciled with the House of Representatives health care reform bill in conference committee.

On Wednesday, December 9, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) joined Terry Gardiner of the Small Business Majority and Mike Brey, a small business owner from Maryland, at a press conference to unveil a package of amendments to the Senate health care reform bill that would benefit small businesses.

On Saturday, November 21, the U.S. Senate voted 60 - 39, along party lines, to open debate on the Senate health care reform bill, "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said debate would begin on the bill on Monday, November 30.

On Thursday, November 12, the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hosted an hour-long conference call with small business owners from around the country to discuss health care reform. Administration officials participating in the briefing, "Health Care Reform and Small Businesses," included Ann Widger of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Dr.

On Saturday, November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a margin of 220 to 215. The vote on the complex legislation, which runs almost 2,000 pages, was split along party lines, with only one Republican voting in favor of the legislation and 39 Democrats voting against it. Groups representing the interests of small business owners are also split over the bill's merits. Some are hailing its passage, while others are claiming it will force small businesses to cut jobs.

On Tuesday, November 3, in Washington, D.C., more than 130 small business owners from 25 states, gathered on Capitol Hill and at the White House to urge that Congress reform health care.

On October 20, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and ranking member Sen. Olympia J.

While both organizations agree on most aspects of health care reform, they do differ on one key aspect: the public option. While the Main Street Alliance believes it is a critical component, the Small Business Majority does not, though the group does think reform would be better with a public option.

Here's a look at each organization and their approach to health care reform.

Main Street Alliance

On Tuesday, September 29, the Senate Committee on Finance voted against creating a government-run public option as part of healthcare reform. The vote came following an emotional debate that lasted more than half the day, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, though the public option was voted down in the Senate committee, it is still possible for a public option to be included in the final draft of healthcare legislation, the Times reported.

As the debate over health care reform heats up, this week, in an e-mail from CEO Oren Teicher, the American Booksellers Association called on member booksellers to contact their elected representatives to let them know that they support health care reform. Noting that health care reform is a critical national issue, Teicher wrote: "As you know all too well, unless measured and effective health care reform efforts are undertaken, the escalating costs of a broken system will only make a crisis situation even more critical."