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Baucus Fleshes Out New Health Reform Compromise

To curb costs, plan would offer stripped-down coverage, add fees to health industry

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2009 9:05 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With President Obama’s much-anticipated health care speech to Congress on the horizon, the head of the Senate Finance Committee has rolled out a new proposal for a compromise bill, the New York Times reports. Sen. Max Baucus’ plan would offer scaled-down coverage to some, and, to cover the $880 billion price tag for expanded insurance, charge fees to insurance companies, labs, and medical device makers, rather than asking for give-backs from individuals.

Under the plan, people 25 and under would be eligible for cheaper insurance for catastrophic illnesses only, and millions of lower-income people who don’t currently qualify for Medicaid would get a scaled-down version of the coverage. The Finance Committee’s bill, which doesn’t include a public option, likely has the best chance of getting through the Senate—but four other committees from both houses already have versions of legislation on the table.

Democratic Senators emerge from the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, following their lunch with President Obama.
Democratic Senators emerge from the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, following their lunch with President Obama.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
President Barack Obama greets the audience before his speech for the New Economic School graduates, Moscow, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama greets the audience before his speech for the New Economic School graduates, Moscow, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
In this Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 file picture, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., center, talks to journalists outside the White House.
In this Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 file picture, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., center, talks to journalists outside the White House.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
cornelison
Sep 9, 2009 7:06 AM CDT
Baucus is waiting for the health insurance company to tell him what to do. Why do people still vote for creeps like him?
godawgs
Sep 9, 2009 2:56 AM CDT
@reader in response to your comment above, the congress has more control over the budget the President. Even President Obama has stated that congress holds the purse strings. so Presidents are like quarterbacks, they get to much credit for a win and shoulder too much blame for a lose. Also you never answered my do you know solaris?
Derni
Sep 8, 2009 9:58 AM CDT
I can't wait to hear about "pre-exisiting " conditions-will these people have to pay a penalty? WELL they be dropped?

 
health insurance • legislation • Medicaid • Senate Finance Committee • health care reform • speech • Max Baucus • President Obama

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