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Baucus bill doesn't bridge Senate rift

Our Voice

Hickory Daily Record Editorial

Published: September 17, 2009

A different approach to health-care reform was presented in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, but it did not achieve the across-the-aisle cooperation legislators and the president have pursued.

Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, finally released his master plan for reform, a plan that was quickly rebuffed by some liberals and almost all conservatives. The ideological rift in Congress seems to be as wide as ever.

The proposal will require $856 billion in federal spending over 10 years — the Congressional Budget Office sets the estimate at $776 billion — but proponents say it won't raise taxes or blow the roof off the federal budget.

There probably will be amendments, and this may not even be the reform legislation that eventually is voted on in Senate and House. Much debate, posturing and changes are sure to come.

Indicative of the gulf among senators are the remarks by North Carolina's senators, Kay Hagan and Richard Burr, the Democrat and the Republican.

Hagan: "I am pleased the Finance Committee produced a bill that does not increase our deficit. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will reduce our federal deficit by $49 billion over the next ten years. I also commend Chairman Max Baucus for working hard with our colleagues across the aisle to include Republican input in the bill.

"While there are many details that still need to be worked out, we ultimately need health insurance reform that ensures people who like their insurance and doctors keep them, expands access to health insurance for those without it, and slows down the skyrocketing cost of health care. I am committed to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure these critical components are included in the final bill."

Burr: "I appreciate the Finance Committee chairman's commitment to working across the aisle on this important issue. Unfortunately, the proposal put forth today fails several crucial tests. In addition to increasing spending and raising taxes, it also cuts Medicare by nearly half a trillion dollars. It makes no sense to jeopardize health coverage for seniors to pay for health care reform.

"Further, this plan is not financially sustainable over the long-term. It is imperative that Congress listen to the concerns of their constituents and get it right, rather than focus on arbitrary timelines and rushed solutions."

One thing is clear. Health-care reform, even with the Baucus bill in the mix, will not come quickly.

For more, go to www.hagan.senate.gov or www.burr.senate.gov.