Possible compromise emerges in health care debate
6/10/2009 6:50:00 PM
Associated Press/AP Online
By ERICA WERNER WASHINGTON - A potential compromise emerged Wednesday on one of the most vexing issues of the health care overhaul debate - whether to create a new government-sponsored health plan to compete with private insurers.
The compromise offered by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., would create health care cooperatives owned by groups of residents and small businesses, similar to how electric or other cooperatives operate. They'd be nonprofit, and without the government involvement that troubles Republicans and business groups about the public plan options.
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, said Wednesday the idea could be key to a bipartisan health bill. Baucus raised it in a meeting with President Barack Obama, saying later that Obama showed interest. Baucus' Republican counterpart, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, also said the concept had potential.
"It's a way to bridge the gap," Baucus told reporters.
6/10/2009 6:50:00 PM
Associated Press/AP Online
By ERICA WERNER WASHINGTON - A potential compromise emerged Wednesday on one of the most vexing issues of the health care overhaul debate - whether to create a new government-sponsored health plan to compete with private insurers.
The compromise offered by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., would create health care cooperatives owned by groups of residents and small businesses, similar to how electric or other cooperatives operate. They'd be nonprofit, and without the government involvement that troubles Republicans and business groups about the public plan options.
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, said Wednesday the idea could be key to a bipartisan health bill. Baucus raised it in a meeting with President Barack Obama, saying later that Obama showed interest. Baucus' Republican counterpart, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, also said the concept had potential.
"It's a way to bridge the gap," Baucus told reporters.
