Baucus Gang's Proposed Plan Short On Care

IBD Editorials ^ | September 15, 2009 | RUTH MARCUS

[Kaslin]

With apologies to E.F. Hutton, when Ron Wyden talks about health care reform, people should listen. When Ron Wyden balks at a Democratic health care reform proposal, people should definitely listen.

The Democratic senator from Oregon has been the Energizer Bunny of health reform for the last five years. This week, he lobbed a big rhetorical stink bomb into the works. Wyden warned publicly that the package being crafted by the Senate Finance Committee would cost lower-income Americans too much and give many people too little choice of insurance plans.

Under the finance committee proposal, individuals would be required to obtain insurance. But to drive down the cost of the package, Montana Democrat Max Baucus' Gang of Six — a gang that pointedly does not include Wyden — trimmed the size of the subsidies available for those who could not afford insurance on their own.

Now, a family earning three times the poverty level — $66,150 for a family of four — would have to pay up to 13% of their income for health insurance. And that's just the premiums — not counting deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses.

"I don't know very many working-class families who you can look in the eyes and say, 'Do you have that kind of money in your checking account?' — because they don't," Wyden told me.

Those without coverage would face up to a $3,800 fine, unless costs exceeded 10% of their income, in which case they would be given an "affordability exemption." In other words, they wouldn't have insurance, but at least they wouldn't be penalized for it.

[Kaslin]

[whitedog57]

F**K THE GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PhiKapMom]

You know how bad the Baucus’ plan has become when Snowe pulled out today and won’t back the plan.

[peeps36]

We need to repeal any plan they pass while they hold power. They could screw up a cup of coffee and they want to take over our health care and 17% of the economy. F%%k them is right.

[goldstategop]

Its just that bad because it fails the tests - its not prudent, responsible and efficient. It tries to do too much, it costs too much and it won't work. The Democrats are just not listening to the country... Americans don't want Obamacare force-fed down their throats!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[ballplayer]

It IS not short On ,YOU WILL DO THIS OR THAT OR ELSE!