A group of six senators, representing both parties, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to “resist timelines” set by leadership and the president for completing health care reform efforts.

In the last few weeks, as several House committees and one Senate committee have passed health reform bills, members of Congress and others have voiced mixed opinions about President Barack Obama’s push for health reform to be completed by August.

In their letter to Senate leaders, the senators wrote “we are firmly committed to enactment of comprehensive reform this year” and urged the leaders “to resist timelines which prevent us from achieving the best result.”

The letter suggests that reform “must reduce premiums and administrative costs, expand choices, and increase coverage for all Americans.”

Joseph Lieberman

Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), Susan M. Collins (R-Maine), Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed the letter.

“We are eager to work constructively with Senate leadership and agree that this is an historic opportunity, which makes it imperative to proceed thoughtfully and responsibly,” said the letter.

The senators point out that Doug Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, testified that the bills before Congress will not reduce costs, despite statements from the president and others saying their passage will not add to the budget.

“We are faced with the dual challenges of pressing ahead to pass legislation by the end of the year and to produce the reform the American people need,” the letter said.