Baucus Unveils $856 Billion Health-Care Legislation

Wall Street Journal ^ | September 16, 2009 | Gregg Hitt

[La Lydia]

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus formally unveiled a 10-year $856 billion bill that would extend health insurance to tens of millions of Americans not now covered, moving an important step forward on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. The sweeping measure is designed to steer a more moderate course on health policy than other major bills moving through Capitol Hill, and doesn't propose to create a new government insurance plan to compete with private insurers, as proposed in rival House legislation and favored by many liberals. Instead, the Montana Democrat is proposing to expand coverage by creating a network of nonprofit health insurance cooperatives.

More than a year in the making, the bill would overhaul the nation's health-care system and has sparked a sharp battle between Republican leaders and the White House over the size and role of government in the nation's economy. The measure would create a new national insurance exchange, where individuals and small businesses can purchase insurance. Individuals would be required to purchase insurance, but those at the lower end of the income ladder would receive federal tax subsidies to defray the cost.

Moreover, insurers would be barred from using a range of practices -- such as denying health coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions -- that critics say have created economic turmoil and emotional hardship for millions of families....

[PhiKapMom]

A friend and I have a blog, Democrats for Sale, where I was doing a 4-part look at the bills submitted by Republicans in Congress when I ran across the Coburn bill.

It is disgusting that the MSM chooses to ignore a bill that makes sense in favor of bills that cost almost $1T.

It is all about the Government taking over healthcare and Democrat political office holders looking for power and money aka GREED!

[Gabrial]

“There are a couple of solutions to that outrage.”

Yep. I came up with at least three.

1) Home School
2) Have him bring his lunch
3) Put him up for adoption (sarc)

[StormEye]

"I am embarassed to be from Montana right now. Actually, the way this state is going, I am embarrassed quite frequently."

So why is Montana electing liberal Democrats? I have always though Montana to be a conservative state.

[SoldierDad]

From what I have heard about Baucus’ legislation, my wife and I will suffer greatly from this 35% punishment tax that is in this bill. Obama lies about not taxing those making less than 250,000 a year. My wife and I make combined in the area of 114k a year. This is well below the 250K Obama promised not to tax. Yet, because of the health care benefits we receive, we will face a 35% tax that will either cost us an extra $6,000 a year, or force us into the “Public Option” (meaning we will not receive much in the way of health care). I will be making phone calls to my congressman and my U.S. senators (unfortunately that means Diane Fiendstein and Barbara (B!tch) Boxer). My congressman is a conservative republican fortunately.

[myknowledge]

Baucuscare Barf Alert.