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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Finance Committee has begun work on a revised version of the health care reform bill proposed last week by its chairman, Sen. Max Baucus.
Baucus, a Montana Democrat, said he modified his proposal to incorporate ideas from both Democrats and Republicans, to make it more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans and to ensure it reduces the federal deficit, according to a statement (pdf) posted on the committee’s Web site.
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In his opening statement (pdf) to the committee on Tuesday, Baucus called the bill “a balanced, common-sense plan,” adding that it is “designed to get the 60 votes that it needs to pass.”
Among the changes is a reduction in the penalties for people who do not carry health insurance. Previously, Baucus had proposed a maximum penalty of $3,800 per family; the new version of the bill cuts that figure in half. The Wall Street Journal noted that such a charge would apply to families that earn between three and four times the federal poverty line, which is about $22,000 for a family of four. The penalty for individuals went from $1,500 to $750.
The individual mandate to buy health coverage was criticized by Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the finance committee, and others. In his statement to the committee (pdf), Grassley said he has become “increasingly concerned about the intrusion into private lives” that the mandate represents.
Lawmakers have proposed 564 amendments to the $774 billion plan, according to The Washington Post.
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- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown hosts forum in Cleveland on health care reform (Crain’s Cleveland Business)
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- Plague-related death of U. of C. researcher baffles family, researchers (Chicago Tribune)
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- Backers say sick-leave plan should go hand in hand with health-care reform (Business First of Columbus)
