Q+A: Next steps in U.S. Congress on healthcare

(Reuters) - Congress has picked up the pace of its work on an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion health care industry as it tries to pass legislation in each chamber before the August congressional recess.

A first Senate committee acted on Wednesday on its version of the healthcare overhaul, and House of Representatives' Democrats are moving forward on their approach. Both would cost about $1 trillion over a decade.

What's next for healthcare overhaul in Congress?

* Three committees in the House are scheduled to begin work this week, with each tackling the issues in the single bill that are under its jurisdiction.

The House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and the taxes needed to pay for healthcare, has said it will begin debate on Thursday.

The House Energy and Commerce committee, whose chairman Henry Waxman has been a driving force behind changes in the insurance industry to expand coverage, also intends to start work

on Thursday.

The House Education and Labor Committee, opened its debate on Wednesday. It has jurisdiction over employee health benefits.

* Two committees in the Senate are working on separate bills which are expected to be sent to the full Senate as one melded bill.