It's crunch time. As Senate Democrats await new cost projections from the Congressional Budget Office on their latest effort to settle the major internal disagreements over the health care legislation, they are also positioning themselves for a lightning-quick dash to the finish. 'There's not much time left,' said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. 'Right now, you are at the crucial hour. It's the part of the game when you have got it on the line.' The big sticking point has been over a proposed government-run insurance plan, or public option. The budget office is analyzing a compromise idea to create at least two national health plans modeled after those for federal workers and members of Congress. If the cost figures are on target -- for that concept, and for a companion proposal to allow some people ages 55-64 to buy coverage through Medicare -- the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, is expected to push quickly to end debate and hold final votes. And the legislative process, which seemed to bog down repeatedly over the last two weeks of nonstop floor debate, could suddenly end up finished in a breathless blur. Beyond the public option, here are other unresolved issues to keep an eye on: ABORTION: Senate Democrats worked through the weekend to negotiate a deal over the divisive issue of insurance coverage for abortions. The goal on all sides is to remain consistent with existing law and prevent federal money from paying for abortions. The House-passed health care bill includes tight restrictions, barring abortion coverage in any health plan that is even partly paid for with new federal subsidies to help people afford insurance. The Senate rejected a proposal to adopt that language. Ever since, Democratic leaders have tried to chart a middle course that would satisfy opponents of abortion rights, most importantly Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., without angering abortion rights supporters who oppose any new restrictions. COST CONTAINMENT: Democrats face a barrage of Republican criticism over the cost of the bill, and the outcry grew louder last week when the chief actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the bill would increase overall health spending. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., and Arlen Specter, D-Pa., have put forward an amendment that would speed up the starting date of provisions aimed at lowering costs. This self-proclaimed tripartisan group has proposed that new penalties on hospitals over preventable infections begin in 2013 rather than 2015 and that a new pilot program to 'bundle' Medicare payments to hospitals begin by Jan. 1, 2012, not 2013. In addition, a group of freshman Democratic senators has proposed an amendment that includes an array of changes meant to further reduce health care spending, including added authority for a new commission charged with identifying savings in Medicare. SMALL BUSINESS: America's small businesses have some powerful advocates: Sens. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. The White House is courting all those votes. On Wednesday, Lincoln and Landrieu held a news conference to unveil a package of amendments intended to help small businesses. Snowe has had several meetings at the White House where she conveyed her views directly to President Barack Obama. While Reid has made no public statement, it is clear that the final Senate bill will include robust provisions to help small businesses afford benefits for their workers, enhanced tax breaks and reduced penalties if they fail to meet new mandates. CADILLAC TAX: The Senate bill includes a 40 percent excise tax on high-priced health insurance policies. The tax would apply to the price of self-only policies above $8,500 and to family policies above $23,000, to rein in runaway spending. The White House has identified this proposal as a crucial component of the health legislation, and economists say it may be the one provision that takes a step toward controlling medical inflation. Reid has already weakened it and may do so again. The original proposal, approved by the Senate Finance Committee, had set lower thresholds -- $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families. But an amendment put forward by Northern liberals seeks to raise the thresholds to $9,500 and $25,000. Organized labor, an important Democratic constituency, opposes the excise tax because it will hit some generous union health plans. House Democrats did not include the tax in their health care bill, even though Obama has endorsed the idea. Whether Reid holds firm will be a crucial test of his commitment to the goal of slowing the upward spiral of the nation's medical spending. CHILDREN: Children's health is a top priority for two important Democrats, Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. Rockefeller is a strong voice for liberals; Casey will be central to a deal on abortion. Both Casey and Rockefeller have fought to maintain the existing Children's Health Insurance Program. 'I have said from the beginning of this debate, and even before the debate began many months ago, that the standard ought to be four words: no child worse off,' Casey said in a floor speech. 'I think it is a standard we can meet.' Casey and Rockefeller have pressed for government financing for the program through 2015 -- a two-year extension from current law. Depending on the budget office analysis, the cost could prove to be prohibitive. If so, Reid may look to strike a deal. CHOICE: Wyden, Collins and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., have put forward amendments aimed at increasing health insurance choices across the board. The latest Democratic compromise, to create national nonprofit plans like those offered to federal employees, moves in that direction. But Wyden wants to do more for people who struggle to afford benefits offered by their employers. 