MONROE (KNOE 8 NEWS) - After a closely-watched vote in Sunday, the proposed health care reform bill will soon be up for debate in the Senate.

Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and blanche Lincoln of Arkansas were key in voting to let the debate continue.

"It is a vote to move forward to continue good and essential and important and imperative work that is underway," Landrieu said.

The subject of most of the debate over health care reform is a "universal coverage."  Simply put, a government funded coverage for every American.

While that's good for those without health insurance it could prove to be harmful to hospitals like St. Francis in Monroe.

"They say the devil is in the details," said Louis Bremer, CEO of St. Francis Medical Center, "and there's a lot of details to be developed."

Bremer likes that a public option will allow more people to see doctors to take measures in preventing diseases like high blood pressure.

But for hospitals with huge expenses, reimbursement is a big issue.

"If the reimbursement is inadequate there will be some hospitals that may not make it," Bremer said.  "I mean they literally may have to close their doors."

Bremer also said many hospitals and health providers have stopped accepting Medicaid for that very reason.

St. Francis is working on efficiency with patients to reduce costs, but a lack of proper funding could affect the quality of care.

"Depending on what happens in the future could have an impact on quality," Bremer said.

Bremer hopes that the debate will provide St Francis and other hospitals with some much needed help.

Senate debate on the health care reform bill is set to begin after Thanksgiving.