Health care reform update / sigh

The Wall Street Journal reports tonight that Speaker Pelosi has sent three versions of HR 3200, her health care reform bill, to the CBO for scoring. "Those alternatives deal with different ways the government-run public insurance plan could be structured." Also according to this article, the Cadillac plan tax is "as dead as a doornail" in the House, but the Speaker has asked Ways and Means Committee Chairman to explore imposing a windfall profits tax on insurers. The public plan option simply will not die.

According to Congressional Quarterly, the Senate Finance Committee will vote on its America's Health Future Act, the modified Baucus plan, on October 13. The Journal report adds that "Health insurers haven't opposed the [$6.7 billion] tax in the Senate Finance package because it is seen as part of a deal they struck with the White House to contribute to the goal of universal health care and reducing health-care costs for consumers." Traditional Medicare and Medicaid, TRICARE, and self-insured employer plans are exempt from this hefty tax, but the FEHBP is not. This tax would fall heavily on the FEHB Program.