Snowe Rejects Public Option as Senate Democrats Weigh Measure
“A public option at the forefront really does put the government in a disproportionate position with respect to the industry,” Snowe, the only Republican to vote for a health plan so far, said in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions “Political Capital With Al Hunt,” airing this weekend.
Snowes stance is crucial because Democrats such as Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson say a bill has to have Republican support to win his vote. She might also bring along more Republicans, such as fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins. [...]
House Targets Insurers With Antitrust Challenge, Public Option
The House Judiciary Committee yesterday voted 20-9 to approve legislation that would ban insurers from engaging in price fixing, bid-rigging and market allocation. The measure may be added to broader health-care overhaul legislation.
At the same time, Democratic leaders said they can win passage for a government program to compete with private insurers and drive down prices, one of the most contentious issues dividing Democrats and Republicans.
“We have the votes to pass a [...]
Rockefeller Says Democrats Cant Tailor Health Care to Snowe
“We cant sort of hedge and say whats Olympia going to do,” Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, said in an interview on Bloomberg Televisions “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” airing this weekend. “Weve got to decide what we want.”
Snowe, who this week voted for an $829 billion finance committee bill, is the only Republican to back an overhaul plan. Keeping the Maine lawmaker on board as the legislation moves through the Senate may help attract Democrats facing re- election battles and possibly other Republicans. [...]
Senate Has Miles to Go On Health Care After Committee Vote
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now has to meld the $829 billion legislation with a measure passed by the Senate health committee in July. While both proposals aim to curb medical costs and cover tens of millions of uninsured Americans, their different paths to the goal have divided Democrats and unsettled some of the partys main supporters.
Lawmakers are grappling with a host of issues — whether to create a government-run insurance program, whether to require that employers cover workers and how to pay for all the [...]
Health-care Tactic Future Rests On Snowe, Battling Democrats, Cbo
The Senate Finance Committee tomorrow is scheduled to vote on a plan to curb rising medical costs and cover tens of millions of uninsured Americans at a cost of $829 billion over 10 years. The next step for Senate leaders is to try to bring together divided Democrats to craft a compromise for the full chamber, a process also taking place in the House.
Senate leaders are also wooing Republican Olympia Snowe of Maine, whose support may help shore up backing from Democrats in Republican-leaning states. In [...]
Deficit, Disclosure May Delay Senate Vote On Health-care Tactic
The Senate Finance Committee has yet to vote on its bill as it waits for the Congressional Budget Office to assess the cost. And a group of eight Democrats whose votes may be crucial to final passage urged that the public be given more time to read new drafts of the legislation.
Adding to the unease was the disclosure last night by a congressional panel that it underestimated the fees that drug companies, insurers and medical device makers would pay toward the overhaul. The industries would be [...]
Schumer, Democrats Oath to Fight For Public Option After Setback
The panel rejected amendments offered by Schumer and West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller to create a “public option” that would compete with private insurers such as Indianapolis- based WellPoint Inc. Panel chairman Max Baucus and two other Democrats joined with all of the committees Republicans to vote against both amendments.
While Baucus said he was voting against the program because it couldnt pass the Senate “at this point,” Schumer said he sees growing support. The public option has been the biggest point of contention in the debate [...]
Orszag Sees Health-care Law In Six Weeks, Praises Baucus Strategy
“The goal would be, yes, over the next six weeks or so, maybe sooner,” Orszag said in an interview yesterday as the finance panel run by Montana Democrat Max Baucus began the first of three days of meetings to revise the measure.
Lawmakers have been struggling with legislation that would cover tens of millions of people who lack insurance and tame health-care costs, the top priority of President Barack Obama. Baucuss committee is still dealing with the issue about two months after four other panels drafted bills [...]
Baucus to Growth Aid For Uninsured, May Trim Tax On Health Strategies
The Montana Democrat, whose proposed health-care plan drew fire last week from lawmakers of both parties, will expand subsidies for people trying to obtain coverage through an online exchange, said Senator Kent Conrad, a finance panel member. Hes also likely to cut back an excise tax on so-called Cadillac plans so fewer people would be affected, an issue important to labor unions.
Baucus discussed other amendments with fellow Democrats last night, including one to lower penalties for those who fail to buy insurance. Conrad said hes likely [...]
Baucuss Health Policy May Shape Senate Bill Even After Attacks
After months of fruitless efforts to find a bipartisan compromise, Baucus yesterday released a proposal to cover tens of millions of uninsured Americans and curb costs. Republicans balked at the $856 billion price tag and Democrats were unhappy he left out a government-run program to compete with private insurers. Unions denounced a tax on high-end insurance plans.
Still, buoyed by a Congressional Budget Office estimate that the plan would cut the federal deficit in 10 years, Baucus predicted passage through his panel with Republican votes. And while [...]