Since a Baucus diary got on the rec list so fast, I thought I might try my hand as well... The diary is missing some information that the Wall Street Journal is reporting:
Baucus' draft DOES contain a public plan.... or is it a co-op plan?
Also included in the proposal is a non-profit health co-operative -- an idea originally embraced by Conrad. The co-operative would see direct oversight from the Health and Human Services secretary, who would authority to make "final decisions about approvals of business plans and distribution of funds."
http://online.wsj.com/...
It seems that no one is really sure at the moment....
More analysis below the fold...
So, is Baucus' public plan option something like this?
Or this?
Republicans are complaining that it really is just a public plan renamed... No liberals have weighted in yet... Since everything is being coordinated at the executive level, this may actually be closer to what we want renamed in a more "conservative friendly" way, but the details are yet to emerge... If it is what I think it is, it sounds like basically the public plan without the word public in it... which would be a nice marketing coup, but we have to wait and see as details emerge...
On a more heartening note, Dodd is sick of the obstructionism and seems ready to tell the GOP to stick it!
Some heartening news:
Dodd, D-Ct., on Thursday acknowledged that the multitude of amendments - most offered by Republicans - has produced a drawn-out process.
"Certainly, stalling it is not helping it at this point," Dodd said. "My job is to be fair and to keep the process moving forward."
In the next two days, Dodd said he plans to fill in controversial provisions of the bill that currently lack detail, including a public health insurance option and a requirement that employers provide health insurance benefits or face a financial penalty.
Both of those provisions have provoked opposition from business groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Republicans on the panel. Dodd largely dismissed those concerns.
"My goal is to write a good bill. My goal is not bipartisanship," Dodd said, adding that bipartisanship "could help you get to a good bill, but is not an end in itself."
http://online.wsj.com/...
It's about time someone on our side figured it out!