Finally, the Baucus bill emerges.
On September 16, Senator Baucus released a 230 page summary of his version of a health care reform bill. [See: www.opencongress.org/articles/view/1225-Max-%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Baucus-America-s-Healthy-Future-Act with a PDF link] The actual 1000 page draft of the legislation will be released today. While the Finance Committee had hoped to have a bi-partison bill from its subcommittee of 6 Senators, that group had been unable to reach an agreement and Senator baucus submitted his own draft for full Committee review starting next week.
Criticism of Baucus's draft bill has already begun, with Senators from both parties expressing concerns over its various provisions. It appears he has found a way to anger every special interest group. Maybe that will motivate all the factions in this debate to find a middle ground that can actually pass both Houses.
