Dancing with the ones who bought you? Senate Panel Says Insurer-Friendly Health Plan In The Works

[Karmadillo]

http://www.property-casualty.com/News/2009/7/Pages/Senate-Panel-Says-InsurerFriendly-Health-Plan-In-The-Works.aspx

Senate Panel Says Insurer-Friendly Health Plan In The Works

By ARTHUR D. POSTAL

Published 7/29/2009
NU Online News Service, July 29, 3:45 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON—Leadership of the Senate Finance Committee said members are making “progress” drafting bipartisan health care reform legislation that the insurance industry can support, but it won’t be anytime soon.

In a statement, committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the panel’s ranking minority, said, “While progress has been made in recent days, neither an accord nor an announcement is imminent.”

In fact, the statement said, “significant policy issues remain to be discussed among the members, and any one of these issues could preclude bipartisan agreement. Members are continuing their methodical work this morning.”

But, the panel does appear to be working toward sending a bill to the Senate floor before the Senate leaves for a month-long recess Aug. 7. Congress will resume work Sept. 8.

The bipartisan legislation would include incentives for employers to provide health insurance coverage for their workers rather than impose a more drastic mandate.

The Senate Finance bill would also mandate creation of health insurance “cooperatives” modeled after rural electricity providers rather than the so-called “public option” strongly opposed by both health underwriters and agents.

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[aquart]

1. I DON'T WANT A BILL THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY CAN SUPPORT!

Jesus H. Christ, when did that become the criteria for American legislation?

[blindpig]

3. Save for some brief interludes

that has always been the case, insert the name of plutocrats of the moment here _____.

[RDANGELO]

2. Prediction

This committee will be largely bypassed by the Democrats in the Senate.

[robinlynne]

5. I HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT. But why isn't Baucus being removed now?????

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Because it's a big club, and you ain't in it. n/t

[foginthemorn]

4. This SUCKS. Love your subject line. Spot on.