September 8th, 2009
01:43 PM ET
11 years ago

Baucus plan draws lukewarm reax from Grassley

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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/08/art.baucus.0907.gi.jpg caption="Democratic sources say Baucus will likely make that decision before the president's speech tomorrow night."]

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A copy of the 18-page health care proposal from Sen. Max Baucus, obtained by CNN from both a Democratic and Republican source, reveals more detail about the Finance Committee chairman's proposal.

Read the plan full here (pdf)

A source close to Republican Sen. Grassley tells CNN that in addition to the problem he has with the fee on insurance companies, a concern he expressed on CNN this morning, he also does not like the overall price tag, which he thinks will be about $880 billion. The Iowa senator had been hoping for something in the $750-$780 billion ballpark.

Democratic sources tell us that Baucus will use today's 2:30 pm ET meeting to gauge whether he can get a deal with the Republicans in the so-called "Gang of Six," especially Grassley and Sen. Mike Enzi, or whether he will have to move on and schedule a Finance Committee markup without a bipartisan agreement.

Democratic sources say Baucus will likely make that decision before the president's speech tomorrow night.


Filed under: Charles Grassley • Max Baucus