Senate Republicans, acknowledging they lack the votes to block a health care reform bill outright, have implemented a comprehensive political strategy to delay, define and derail.
With Democratic leaders and White House officials holed up in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) office negotiating a final bill, Republicans are demanding a deceleration of the process and moving to define whatever plan that emerges as a combination of Medicare cuts, tax increases, higher insurance premiums and rising overall costs.
SOURCE: Roll Call
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Public Option Gets New Life in Senate
WASHINGTON -- The idea of creating a government-run health-insurance plan, once on life support in the Senate, is making a recovery among Democrats writing health-care legislation.
So far, no one is talking about a nationwide Medicare-like plan of the sort sought by many liberals, but several variations short of a national plan are being considered.
One would establish a national plan only if other proposals in the Democrat-led health overhaul fail to expand insurance coverage. Another would create a government plan, but allow states to opt out. Still another would allow states to opt in to a government plan, or experiment with their own plans. Prospects are growing that one of these variations -- or a blend of them -- will make it into the final Senate bill.
"This issue is alive, and we're looking at it," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.).
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
So far, no one is talking about a nationwide Medicare-like plan of the sort sought by many liberals, but several variations short of a national plan are being considered.
One would establish a national plan only if other proposals in the Democrat-led health overhaul fail to expand insurance coverage. Another would create a government plan, but allow states to opt out. Still another would allow states to opt in to a government plan, or experiment with their own plans. Prospects are growing that one of these variations -- or a blend of them -- will make it into the final Senate bill.
"This issue is alive, and we're looking at it," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.).
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Health Care Text
Six days after the Senate Finance Committee approved a health reform bill, the panel released the legislative text to go along with that effort. It totals out at 1,502 pages, with all kinds of fine print for you to explore.
A BILL
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.
(very large file)
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
A BILL
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.
(very large file)
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Medicare Doc Fix
Democrats have brought to the floor of the Senate a bill that would fix the payment issue by doing away with scheduled big cuts in doctor payments.
Except that the cost would not be offset. In other words, the money would just be added to the federal deficit.
That hasn't impressed more fiscally conscious Democrats in the Congress, who argue this should be part of health care reform, not an "off-budget" maneuver outside of health reform.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Except that the cost would not be offset. In other words, the money would just be added to the federal deficit.
That hasn't impressed more fiscally conscious Democrats in the Congress, who argue this should be part of health care reform, not an "off-budget" maneuver outside of health reform.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
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