Some comprimises on various excemption levels, but looks okay. Looks like getting under $1 trillion was key. Public option is still included but also options on co-ops.
Looks like Rahmbo did it again.
The blue-dogs will also not stand as a group when voting.
The Blue Dogs also succeeded in cutting $100 billion from the overall cost of the bill, bringing the total price tag under $1 trillion. The legislation will now exempt small businesses with a payroll under $500,000 from paying for any government-sponsored health coverage - double the $250,000 in the initial draft.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has cut a deal to reconvene his committee and vote on the Democrats' sweeping health care bill, with a goal of completing work by the time lawmakers leave town for the summer on Friday.
There won’t be a vote before the full House before the August recess, but the committee breakthrough – after tense negotiations with Blue Dog Democrats – is a significant step for the Democrats.
"After two weeks of very long and intense negotiations, I'm proud to report that we've reached an agreement that will allow health care reform to move forward," said Arkansas Rep. Mike Ross, a top negotiator for Blue Dog Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Some more info on co-ops.
The new version of the bill also has a breakthrough on the concept of health care "co-ops," seen by some as an alternative to a public plan. States would be allowed to create co-ops for residents to buy private insurance. But the Waxman-Ross deal will also keeps the "public option" of government-sponsored health care.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/...
Read more: http://www.politico.com/...