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It’s not so easy to read into what Sen. Arlen Specter’s switch to the Democratic party means for health reform.

When he appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, he indicated that he’s not an automatic yes vote for a Democratic health-reform package. “I’m ready to put my shoulder to the wheel to get legislation adopted, but I’m going to take a look at it piece by piece,” the Pennsylvania senator said, as quoted by WSJ’s /a>. “I’m not committed.”

Still, WashWire noted that most of the ideas he mentioned, including covering all Americans and investing in research and technology to improve the system, were in line with Democrats’ ideas. Specter is a cancer survivor and big supporter of medical research

Politico this morning /a> at Specter’s stances on health, noting that he signed on to a bipartisan health-reform bill this past fall, but he opposes the idea of a /a> to compete with private plans. He also said he doesn’t support taxing /a>.

It’s not clear how much one senator matters, though. Because Democrats have kept the /a> arrow in their quiver, they may not need Specter to break a filibuster.

Photo: Associated Press

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