The committee chairman, Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, negotiated with top Republicans for weeks before talks broke down. Baucus’s bill leaves out a primary demand of many Democrats - a government insurance option - and it has a lower price tag than other Democratic proposals.
But Isakson and other Republicans say it’s still too costly and would require too much government intrusion into the health care system. Only one Republican, Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, appears to be considering supporting it.
At its core, the bill is designed to expand health insurance coverage to millions of people who lack it, employing a new system of federal subsidies for lower-income individuals and families and establishing an insurance exchange in which coverage would have federally guaranteed benefits. Insurance companies would be prohibited from refusing to sell insurance based on a person’s health history, and limits would be imposed on higher premiums based on age.
Obamas take time to watch daughter Malia play soccer
WASHINGTON - After a week of meetings with world leaders, President Obama enjoyed some family time yesterday.
Obama left the White House yesterday morning for a soccer field in northwest Washington where his 11-year-old daughter Malia was playing soccer. Michelle Obama and the family dog, Bo, joined along.
The president stayed on the sidelines with other onlookers and parents for about 30 minutes. As he left to return to the White House, several children shouted “Bye, Mr. Obama.’’ Obama waved to those on the field.
Obama returned to the White House on Friday after a week of meetings with world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York and at an economic summit in Pittsburgh. He was scheduled to speak last night at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual dinner.
