It sorta ticks me off that republicans have been such thorns on healthcare, throwing every obstacle in the way, encouraging wingnuts to wingnuttery, exploiting people's fears. Since it's not a bipartisan bill and the bill doesn't have a public option, it's safe to say that democrats stood in the way of the public option. Instead of a public option, poor Americans can get tax credits to buy insurance. At first glance, it doesn't look like a bad bill. I'll have to do more research.
Senate Finance Committee head Max Baucus says he thinks the bill will eventually get republican support. At this point, I don't think republicans matter. I'm sure before the day is out the bill will be bloodied and beaten, in need of healthcare:
Elements of the bill:
Costs $856 billion over 10 years.
Gives tax credits to small businesses to help them buy insurance.
Creates health-insurance cooperatives but not a government insurance plan.
Requires individuals and families to buy insurance coverage.
Gives refundable tax credits to poor Americans to help buy coverage.
Creates Internet-based insurance exchanges.
Levies new taxes on drug-makers and insurers to help pay costs.
