Now that we see the shape of the bill that will come out of Sen. Baucus' (Insurance Lobby, MT) finance committee it is there are some things we need to recognize. First off, just because he and the other lily livered Dems on that committee can't seem to get a real bill that meets not only the President's minimum requirements and the countries minimum needs does not mean it is all over. There was always going to be a Conference Committee on this set of reforms. So just because Sen. Baucus (Putz, MT) has drunk the bipartisan Kool Aid does not mean the game is over.
Deficit Neutrality with focus on cost rather than revenues
Delivery System Reform which seems to address the cost issue again
Small Business Protection which addresses employer mandates
Rural Health Equity addressing the paucity of care in many rural areas
Bipartisanship which calls for engaging Republicans [I don't know how this can be done with the Party of Nope, but perhaps someone can offer enlightenment on this]
They are also concerned about a Medicare-like option because of the lower reimbursements offered and would like to see "sufficient" time for debate before voting.
At least they didn't oppose it outright, but I wonder how many would be primaried had they done so.
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