Many Republicans have been trying to define "reconciliation" as a radical alternative to the normal legislative procedure. This isn't true, and in fact, there have been 22 reconciliation bills between 1981 and 2009.

Reconciliation has been used for past bills including the establishment of COBRA, nursing home standards, expanded Medicaid eligibility, welfare reform, President Bush's war in Iraq and the start-up of SCHIP. Fourteen of the 22 reconciliation bills have been done by Republican-controlled Congress.

Senate Democrats have already passed a comprehensive bill that will make health care more affordable and health care companies more accountable. The possible reconciliation bill under discussion would just make targeted and technical improvements to that original bill. Reconciliation would allow for a simple up-or-down vote, enabling the health reform legislation to be passed with a simple majority, rather than a 60-vote supermajority.

Still have questions? Watch Senate Democrats explain reconciliation in the video below.

For more, check out Media Matters' fact check, "Myths and Falsehoods on budget reconciliation."

What are your thoughts on using reconciliation?