September 9, 2009 6:50 PM

Sen. Baucus Presses Forward with Health Bill

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Health Care
(AP)
The head of the Senate Finance Committee, the last congressional committee expected to produce its health care reform bill, announced today he will unveil legislation next week and bring the measure to a vote within two weeks, with or without Republican support.

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has been trying, with two other Democratic committee members and three Republicans, to forge a health care bill that could win some Republican votes. Yet after months of talks, the so-called "gang of six" has yet to finalize any legislative language. Baucus reportedly said today the legislative process must move forward.

"The time has come for action, and we will act," Baucus told reporters, CNN reports.

Baucus on Tuesday released a framework for legislation that he believes could clear his committee. He gave the gang of six until Wednesday morning to submit suggestions for changes. Baucus met with Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee this morning and met with the gang of six this afternoon.

After his meeting with the Democrats, Baucus said he would bring a bill before the entire Finance Committee for consideration the week of Sept. 21, the New York Times reports.

"Irrespective of whether there are any Republicans, I will move forward," Baucus reportedly said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), one of the Republicans in the gang of six, said a news conference today ahead of the group's meeting that he has suggested some changes to Baucus' framework, but he declined to say expressly what changes.

"I do have a list of changes," he said. "I won't bring those up at this point, because I don't want to negotiate in the press."

Grassley said all proposals are on the table, as they were months ago, when the gang of six began its negotiating process -- though he admitted a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option" will not be in any legislation they produce.

"One of the rules of negotiating is that nothing's final until everything's final, and so you either agree to the entire package or you don't," he said.

Baucus' announcement that he may bring his bill to a vote without Republican support is an acknowledgement that the rest of Congress and President Obama most likely will no longer wait for the gang of six to agree to an entire package.

When asked about the Senate Finance Committee proposal, Rep. Mary Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) said today that she had no idea what they're going to do and is not sure anyone does.

"It's like waiting for Godot, and I don't want to spend my life doing that," she said.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Obama: "Now Is the Season for Action"

Obama Health Care Speech Excerpts

Add a Comment
by rightbehind September 9, 2009 8:17 PM EDT
They bailed out the dung on wall street in days and passed the bill on to the people. Most all honest taxpayers give up on average more than 27% of their income to the US government. They have dragged their feet on taking care of the people on health care. They are more interested in protecting a phony baloney insurance market. Every one involved with health care brought something to the table to give up except for the insurance companies. Who did the senate write the health care bill to favor? The insurance companies. There is language that says you will buy health care insurance or you will be fined. That's extortion.
Reply to this comment
by Aldymac September 9, 2009 9:57 PM EDT
No, it's socialism.
by rightbehind September 9, 2009 8:06 PM EDT
Until the strong public option is there he might as well toss it!
Reply to this comment
by CitizenMikeM September 9, 2009 7:42 PM EDT
Baucus probably put Grassley in charge. How could Baucus be handed this most important piece of legislation? He is in the insurance lobbies pocket. I see a sell out coming.(But he'll make it look good--wink and nod).
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage September 9, 2009 7:21 PM EDT
Grassley said all proposals are on the table, as they were months ago, when the gang of six began its negotiating process -- though he admitted a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option" will not be in any legislation they produce. (from article)
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What is THIS?! He says all proposals ARE on the table for negotiation, then says the public option ISN'T?!

Well, then---all the options must NOT be on the table then, huh?!

Who died and put GRASSLEY in charge of this committee!?

He has NO BUSINESS being in this 'gang of six'! It supposedly, is for those who are trying to or WANT to get a health care bill!

Grassley has been working AGAINST a national health care bill or plan his WHOLE CAREER!

No acceptable public option, watch Democrat control go, 'bye, bye'!
Reply to this comment
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