The top Republican writing a Senate health care bill says bipartisan cooperation is over — for now.
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa blamed Democratic leaders for imposing a deadline to get the bill moving by mid September. The top Republican on the Finance Committee said Democrats have put moving quickly over moving correctly. However, he didn't rule out going back to the bargaining table later on.
Grassley said he agrees with parts of the latest Democratic proposal from Chairman Max Baucus, but he criticized many of its key components, from a requirement that all Americans get insurance to the taxes that would help finance subsidies to make the coverage affordable.
Baucus is calling his proposal a 'common sense plan' that takes the best ideas from both sides and is designed to get the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. It would expand government programs for the poor and provide subsidies to help many middle-class families afford the premiums.
Copyright 2009 AP News
