HELENA - While Congress won't be enacting or considering a national Medicare-for-all system, which would extend taxpayer-supported health care to all citizens, supporters of the idea said a few glimmers of hope remain for steps in that direction.

The U.S. House may debate the issue this week on the floor - a historical first - and one amendment that could allow states to consider something like their own Medicare-for-all system remains alive.

"We're not going to give up on the issue," said Gene Fenderson of Montanans for Single-Payer. "What's being built (in the reform bills) is more layers of hodge-podge on top of layers of hodge-podge. ... I think the thing will collapse on its own."

Still, even the minimal steps for Medicare-for-all, also known as a "single-payer" system, could be in jeopardy, as Congress starts voting on massive health reform bills.

Here's what still before Congress on single-payer health care:

- Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., had secured an earlier promise from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow a floor debate on his amendment to substitute Medicare-for-all for the consensus Democratic reform bill.

Pelosi apparently had rescinded that offer, but now single-payer advocates say Weiner may get to have the floor debate on his amendment after all, possibly Friday. If the amendment is debated, it's sure to be defeated.

- An amendment from Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, to allow states to set up a single-payer system for their citizens has been stripped from the Democrats' consensus bill.

Kucinich tried to get the measure re-inserted before the bill hits the floor, but was unsuccessful.

"A single-payer, Medicare-for-all health system is the best way to control costs, drive up quality and extend care to all," he said. "The removal of (my) amendment constitutes yet another capitulation to the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, who already are reaping billions of dollars from the bill."

Several states have expressed interest in a single-payer plan, and the threat of such a plan would suppress health-care costs, he added.

Kucinich said he may try to get his amendment reattached when the House and Senate versions of a reform bill reach a conference committee.

Still alive is an amendment from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that allows states to ask for a waiver from the federal government to create their own universal coverage plan for their citizens.

The Wyden amendment is in the bill sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. Senate Democratic leaders are working to meld parts of the Baucus bill with another health reform bill to create one bill that will come to the floor for debate, before the end of the year.

Wyden staffers say the amendment might allow states to propose a single-payer-type plan to cover their citizens. The action could come from the Legislature or ballot initiatives, they said.

However, single-payer advocates say it doesn't appear to give states full authority to implement such a plan, even if citizens wanted it. They say Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent, may offer an amendment giving states that authority.

Baucus, who has never supported a single-payer plan and didn't allow its consideration in the Senate, has indicated he supports the Wyden amendment.

Whatever happens, single-payer advocates say they're encouraged by progress they've made during the national health reform debate - but that the Democrats' reform proposals won't do the job of fixing the health care system and extending coverage to all.

"We think the system is deeply deteriorated and is not able to recover (with Obama administration and Democrats' proposals)," said Quentin Young, national coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Plan. "When all is said and done, these are private insurance company bills."