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 healthcare 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, at a cost of about $1 trillion over a decade.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR HEALTHCARE OVERHAUL IN CONGRESS?

* Three committees in the House began 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, began its 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, was set 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 that are expected to be sent to the full Senate as one melded bill.

The Senate Health committee has approved its version of the bill with no Republican votes. The bill sets up a government-run insurance system to compete with private insurers, requires many employers to provide insurance for their workers or face penalties and requires individuals to buy their own insurance, with government subsidy if necessary.