Baucus Brought out HR Bill. AP Reports: No Public Option

[Emit]

Senate's 10-year health fix would cost US $856B

WASHINGTON – Sen. Max Baucus on Wednesday brought out the much-awaited Finance Committee version of an American health-system remake — a landmark $856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress without visible Republican backing.

The bill by Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, would make major changes to the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system, including requiring all individuals to purchase health care or pay a fine, and language prohibiting insurance company practices like charging more to people with more serious health problems.

"This is a unique moment in history where we can finally reach an objective so many of us have sought for so long," Baucus said. "The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy."

Consumers would be able to shop for and compare insurance plans in a new purchasing exchange. Medicaid would be expanded, and caps would be placed on patients' yearly health care costs. The plan would be paid for with $507 billion in cuts to government health programs and $349 billion in new taxes and fees, including a tax on high-end insurance plans and fees on insurance companies and medical device manufacturers.

The bill fails to fulfill President Barack Obama's aim of creating a new government-run insurance plan — or option — to compete with the private market. It proposes instead a system of nonprofit member-owned cooperatives, somewhat akin to electric co-ops that exist in many places around the country. That was one of many concessions meant to win over Republicans.

~snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090916/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul





*sigh*

Edited for more succinct OP title

[Emit]

1. Even Jay Rockefeller, a member of the Finance Committee, says he won't support it

[spanone]

2. i bet the house bill will have a public option

[rd_kent]

3. Since there is NO repuklican support, why not just rewrite the thing to include

everything Dems want?

[Emit]

4. That's what I don't get

[TheDebbieDee]

10. Because Baucus is another repuke masquerading as a Dem......

He's already gotten his payoff from the insurance lobby as well.

The public option to the insurance industry would have the same effect as kryptonite on Superman!

[grahamhgreen]

5. SCUM.

[Emit]

6. I just have to say, this sucks

But I really shouldn't really be surprised.

[Kermitt Gribble]

7. Well, that's pretty much what Obama was describing

last week. Our only hope is the Progressive Caucus standing firm on their commitment to a strong public option.

[Emit]

8. We'll have to see what comes of this

when it all comes out of the wash

[kctim]

9. Baucus is a fool

The Republicans are against a public-option because it is a mandate, and his solution is to come up with another mandate?

[Robyn66]

11. Max learned

when you put out they won't respect you in the morning!