House Hopes to Start Health Care Debate Next Week
October 19, 2009
House leaders hope to begin floor debate on their health care reform package as early as November 2. House Democratic leaders are preparing to unveil a health care overhaul that includes a version of the public insurance option that would allow the federal government to negotiate rates with doctors and hospitals. Leaders are waiting for a more definitive score from the Congressional Budget Office on the budget impact of a public insurance option with negotiated rates before presenting the approach to the entire House. The plan with negotiated rates is estimated to save $85 billion over 10 years, less than the version linked to Medicare.
