The healthcare debate continues to heat up as the senate finance committee tweaks a more than $800 billion reform bill.

Indiana’s 2nd District Congressman, Rep. Joe Donnelly, says lawmakers want to make sure that whatever bill is passed, people with pre-existing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can get health insurance coverage, and that those who change jobs can keep their coverage.

Donnelly says they’ve found over $600 billion in health care savings.

“We want to make sure that the cost doesn’t exceed the savings that we have been able to obtain. So we’re trying to make sure it doesn’t increase the debt by anything at all…I’m more focused on fixing the things that really need to be fixed and that we can do right now and so what components will be part of that, are not certain yet.”

Donnelly says they’re aiming for at least 95% of Americans being able to get health insurance coverage when the bill is completed.

Meanwhile, starting October 2nd, the Office of Veterans Affairs is distributing emergency cash of up to $3,000 to student veterans still waiting for payments under the post-9/11 GI Bill.

This one-time payment is to get veterans started, and then they’ll get regular monthly payments after that. Donnelly says the money is part of a promise they made to veterans in the GI Bill that will enable veterans to continue their education and have the funds to pay for it.

To get more information about the payments, click here, or call Congressman Joe Donnelly’s local office at (574) 288-2780.