Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Baucus wants panel to wrap health bill Thursday
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Baucus wants panel to wrap health bill Thursday
By ERICA WERNER,Associated Press Writer -
Friday, October 2
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON – Rejecting Republican amendments, Democrats turned back GOP efforts to cast the health care overhaul as a tax hike on the middle class Thursday, and a crucial Senate panel aimed to wrap up debate on the measure by nightfall.
The outcome appeared inevitable with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., declaring he had the votes for approval of the bill embracing President Barack Obama's priorities of extending coverage to the uninsured and holding down spiraling medical costs.
The final committee vote probably won't happen until next week so senators and the Congressional Budget Office have time to review the legislation. The full Senate and House are to take it up later this month.
The legislation would dramatically reshape the U.S. heath care system, extending coverage to about 95 percent of Americans, providing subsidies to help poorer people buy insurance and barring insurance industry practices like dropping coverage for sick people.
GOP senators weren't going to let the bill advance before pressing their arguments.
Republicans said that taxes the bill proposes on people who don't comply with a mandate to buy health insurance would break Obama's promise to shield families making under $250,000 a year from tax hikes. The fees could rise as high as $1,900 for households that don't buy coverage.
"There are going to be a lot of people whose taxes are increased by this legislation," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. That would violate "the promise and the pledge the president has made to the American people," he contended.
Democrats replied that the bill actually amounted to a $40 billion tax cut for Americans over 10 years since it provides for credits to help lower income people buy coverage.
"This is a message amendment," said Baucus, contending that offerings by Crapo and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nevada., were designed to make arguments against the bill, not improve it.
"What you're saying is you want to gut the president's program. More than that, you want to gut health reform," Baucus said.
The Crapo and Ensign amendments would have provided that individuals making less than $200,000 a year and families making less than $250,000 would be exempt from some of the fees in the bill. Both failed 12-11, with moderate Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas joining all 10 committee Republicans to vote "yes."
The back-and-forth came after Baucus opened the committee's seventh day of work by announcing he wanted to complete debate by the end of the day, opening the way for Democratic leaders to bring the historic legislation to the floors of both the House and Senate as early as mid-October.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday the Senate debate could begin the week of Columbus Day, Oct. 12.
Democratic aides said the House was working on roughly the same timetable, although after months of missed deadlines, neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nor Reid would provide a detailed schedule.
Debate in the Senate could take weeks, compared with mere days in the House.
Still, two weeks before the projected start of debate, key decisions are yet to be made about elements of the bills.
Reid must decide, for example, whether to include an option for the government to sell insurance in competition with private industry, a provision sought by liberals who argue it would subject private insurers to much-needed competition.
Legislation that cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee earlier in the year includes the so-called public option, but the Finance Committee twice rejected proposals along those lines this week. The Finance bill has nonprofit cooperatives instead.
There is no such uncertainty in the House, where Pelosi has said a public plan will be included in legislation that goes to the floor.
Democrats in both houses still are struggling to find ways to hold down the cost of the overhaul legislation while assuring quality health coverage for millions of lower-income individuals and families.
In the House, the issue has been the subject of closed-door negotiations in recent days, as Democratic leaders try to reduce the cost of their bill to the $900 billion over 10 years set by Obama.
In the Senate, Finance Committee Democrats worked privately on the same issue.
One proposal under consideration, according to senators and aides, was advanced by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and was modeled on a system in her home state that advocates say has achieved significant cost savings.
Federal subsidies ticketed for lower-income uninsured would flow to the states. The states, in turn, would negotiate with private insurers to provide coverage for the target population. Aides said the proposal would be designed to provide coverage for about three-quarters of the nation's uninsured.
Olympia Snowe of Maine is the only GOP senator whose vote is in doubt, and she has yet to tip her hand. While she has voted with Democrats on some key tests _ to allow the government to dictate the types of coverage that must be included in insurance policies, for example _ she has also sided with fellow Republicans on other contentious issues.
On Wednesday, Obama lobbied reluctant Democrats by phone to support the Finance Committee measure.
___
AP Special Correspondent David Espo contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Germany's Oktoberfest shrugs off terror threats AFP - Thursday, October 1
Honduras' Micheletti backs off Brazil deadline Reuters - Thursday, October 1
Obama holds 'candid' talks on Afghan war AFP - Thursday, October 1
Embattled Bank of America CEO Lewis to retire AFP - Thursday, October 1
US holds direct talks with Iran at nuclear meeting AFP - Friday, October 2
News Search
Top Stories
EU banks 'sufficiently capitalised': presidency
Germany's Oktoberfest shrugs off terror threats
Global recovery strengthening but risks high: IMF
World economic recovery 'has started': IMF chief
Ex-prosecutor says he lied about Polanski case: report
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
France Telecom boss under fire over staff suicides
UN demands end of sexual violence as tactic of war
GDP revision shows recession winding down
Travolta testifies in extortion case
US superrich lose 300 bln dlrs in a year: Forbes
More Most Viewed »
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 2 October 2009 NATO air strike 'kills nine civilians'
BAE faces prosecution over alleged corruption
US-TECH Summary
Germany's Oktoberfest shrugs off terror threats
LA Times, Washington Post end syndication service
U.S. demands concrete steps from Iran
Spain to rebury Franco victims interred at mausoleum
Iran, world powers to talk again before end of month
EU launches free satnav system
UK court orders writ to be served via Twitter
Israel says Gaza war report threatens peace efforts
Virtual economies in videogames used as case studies
Israel charges Russian-born tycoon with fraud
Investor conference holds hope for poor Haiti
| International
|
Guinea opposition rejects junta unity call
| International
|
Iran, world powers finish first session of talks
Britain asks Schwarzenegger to close prostitute website
UN Afghan envoy says sacking a 'terrible signal'
Report: Iran releases opposition figure on bail
Body of Kyrgyz opposition politician found
Search on after boat capsizes in India, 42 dead
Upbeat Tokyo bid chief promises surprises
Several charged in NYC construction corruption
Death toll nears 150 as Samoa tsunami devastation revealed
Obama deputy national security adviser takes leave
11 Indian fishermen arrested by Pakistani patrol
Muslim rebels attack Philippine marines, 4 killed
Baucus wants panel to wrap health bill Thursday
Seasonal flu vaccine delayed for some US providers
UK court orders writ to be served via Twitter
| Technology
|
New jobless claims rise; Americans' spending jumps
For some, US remains villain at UN climate talks
Mule deer or Yule deer? Buck draped with decor
Judge: NM can yank US Airways' liquor license
Torrential rains kill 55 in southern India
41 die after tourist boat capsizes in India
Torrential rains kill 15 in southern India
Fire on Calif. military base 80 percent contained
Judge orders release of Cheney interview with FBI
AP NewsAlert
Business booms for car mechanics after Philippine floods
Montblanc's $25,000 Gandhi pen sparks controversy
Japanese executives less gloomy as crisis abates
Bharti shares jump, talk deal could be revived
Stronger Asian currencies key to global rebalancing: IMF
Japan stocks tumble; Nikkei closes under 10,000
2nd quake shakes Indonesia after temblor kills 531
Tate museum pulls young Brooke Shields nude image
Winnie-the-Pooh returns for new children's adventure
Schoolgirl to leave Japan pro league
Hermes says it has bought site on New Bond Street
Japan rules against road over ancient port behind 'Ponyo'
Expanded Rolling Stones album revisits '60s heyday
| Entertainment
|
Egypt critics turn against Hosni and regime for UNESCO loss
Brother Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show
Black Eyed Peas match Mariah Carey record on chart
Kylie Minogue gives fans the Wow in first U.S. tour
| Entertainment
|
Brother Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show
| Entertainment
|
Kylie Minogue gives fans the "Wow" in first U.S. tour
Chechnya seeks to become fashion capital
Black Eyed Peas match Mariah Carey record on chart
| Entertainment
|
A Minute With: Drew Barrymore directing Whip It
| Entertainment
|
Obama's hometown orchestra a hit on Europe tour
| Entertainment
|
Iran agrees to allow UN visit to nuclear plant
IBM takes on Google in business Web-mail market
Super typhoon bears down on flood-ravaged Philippines
| International
|
LA prosecutor hits back at Polanski criticism
Ireland heads to polls for European treaty vote
Senate blocks commander's testimony before new Afghan strategy
Google adds options as search engine race continues
Israel awaits first pictures of Gaza-held soldier
Blair in line for EU presidency: report
Iran nuclear talks with U.S. and allies eases tension
| International
|
Iran agrees to allow UN visit to nuclear plant
US auto sales crash after Cash for Clunkers expires
US to add up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts
EU banks 'sufficiently capitalised': presidency
Iraq's al-Maliki joins with Sunnis in election bid
US launch for Relaxnews
Amazon settles suit over deleted Orwell books
Iraq: Key figures since the war began
France launches 'battle of the electric car'
Fresh quake near Tonga, tsunami toll nears 200
| International
|
War report wounds isolated Georgian leader
Twitter testing tool to organize tweets
Honduras resists demands to lift emergency decree
| International
|
Myanmar court upholds Suu Kyi guilty verdict
| International
|
Juvenile behind Facebook poll on whether to kill Obama
ECB chief warns strong dollar needed for stable growth
Oldest hominid skeleton sheds light on human origins
Uzbek militant killed in Pakistan: security agents
| International
|
Honduras resists demands to lift emergency decree
| International
|
World economy healing, but crisis not over: IMF
Frantic search as Indonesia quake toll tops 1,000
| International
|
Explosion in Sri Lanka injures 13: military
| International
|
Scientists find path to fountain of youth
Japan's Kobayashi gets first taste of F1 action
Myanmar's Suu Kyi set for appeal verdict
US congratulates China but critics abound
Judge orders Cheney statements released in Plame case
Texas judge clears way for gay divorce
Colo. Gov. declares `Rocktober' after Rockies' win
NY's Empire State Building chided for honouring China
Complaint: Killing of tribal leader was hit job
UN: Indonesia death toll rises to 1,100
IBM takes on Google in business Web-mail market
| Technology
|
Montana AG launches probe of jail deal
Death toll in Samoas tsunami reaches 150
Pakistan, New Zealand gear up for pace battle
Finnish startup bets on universal media manager
| Technology
|
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,347
Afghan legislation nudges women's rights forward
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 773
Indonesian official: Quake death toll rises to 777
Trampling blamed for Alaska walrus deaths
North American pro sports leagues in a twitter over tweeting
| Technology
|
India vehicle sales surge
Indonesian quake toll at 1,100; thousands missing
Turkmens, Azerbaijan to talk on Caspian border
Indian exports dive 19% but rate of decline slows
Sri Lanka stocks set new record: official
Hollywood persists with biopics despite perils
Letterman victim of $2 million extortion over affairs
| Entertainment
|
Kanye West and Lady Gaga's North American tour cancelled
| Entertainment
|
Zombieland looks to kill at the box office
| Entertainment
|
Kanye West and Lady Gaga's North American tour cancelled
Hollywood persists with biopics despite perils
| Entertainment
|
Hollywood persists with biopics despite perils
Playing politics can make, break Olympic dreams
Dennis Hopper released from hospital
| Entertainment
|
Del Toro urges Puerto Rico to nix monkey facility
Kanye West and Lady Gaga tour canceled
Newark mayor ups the ante on comic Conan O'Brien
NY Philharmonic shelves Cuba tour due to embargo
"Zombieland" looks to kill at the box office
Princess Diana exhibit to open in Philadelphia
Dennis Hopper released from hospital
Israeli official: Captured soldier looks healthy
Taiwan unveils hydrogen-powered mobile phone chargers
Video shows Israeli soldier well; prisoners freed
| International
|
Polls open in Irish EU treaty referendum
Finnish startup bets on universal media manager
Fledging Afghan army grapples with high expectations
| International
|
US Navy creates command to maintain cyber supremacy
Iraq's Mosul hopes for end to stubborn insurgency
| International
|
Nazi camp guard trial opens in Germany next month
| International
|
Shabaab rebels take full control of Somali port
| International
|
Obama love flows for Chicago at 2016 Games vote
Aid trickles in as Indonesia quake toll hits 1,100
Philippines in 'state of calamity' as typhoon looms
Disaster-hit Asia faces fresh typhoon trauma
US, British troops killed in Afghanistan attacks
SKorea questions 11 NKoreans over intent to defect
US targets banks in effort to restart NKorea talks
Samoan baby named Tsunami after lucky escape: report
Asia death toll rises as Ketsana floods recede
Sotomayor won't sell NY apartment in this economy
Teenager buried by quake rescued 40 hours later
Concern grows as search for Tenn. infant continues
Thousands evacuated ahead of Philippine storm
California fair is homemade harvest tradition
U.S. Senate panel set to advance healthcare overhaul
Report: USFS ordered Calif. firefighters reduced
Get everyone in US online, high-level panel says
CBS: '48 Hours' staffer charged in Letterman case
Samoans abroad pray for family back home
Indonesia calls for quake help as bodies rot in heat
WB warns on growth, inflation risks for Asia
Toyota chief optimistic about global auto recovery
Japan's jobless rate falls for first time in 7 months
Transformers 3 confirmed for 2011
| Entertainment
|
Japan's first passenger jet lands big order
Markets in SKorea, India, China closed
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Amos Oz heads field of Nobel literature candidates
| Entertainment
|
"Transformers 3" confirmed for 2011
Willy Wonka may star in stage musical
Willy Wonka may star in stage musical
| Entertainment
|
Lost, Mad Men actors join Adjustment Bureau
| Entertainment
|
"Lost," "Mad Men" actors join "Adjustment Bureau"
Letterman admits affairs after report of blackmail
The Trial: Judge tackles Franz Kafka archive nightmare
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan 'rice bomber' pins hopes on organic farming
Circus tycoon clowns around after space docking
| Entertainment
|
Shadowed by giants, Milan young designers seek break
| Entertainment
|
Tantrums and tiaras in Bogota prison
Jackson autopsy could pose problems for his doctor
In Egypt, swine flu fears buried under rubbish threat
Get everyone in US online, high-level panel says
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights