Baucus Accuses Republican Senator Of Attempting To "Gut And Kill" Health Care Reform

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus accused Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) of attempting to "gut and kill" health care reform legislation Thursday during the Committee's seventh day of markup for the America's Healthy Future Act.

“You want to gut the President’s program, or you want to cut health care reform," Baucus said to Crapo. He added, “you want to take away personal responsibility for individuals to buy personal coverage… this amendment guts and kills health care reform."

The amendment states "This amendment provides that no tax, fee or penalty imposed by this legislation shall be applied to any individual earning less than $200,000 per year or any couple earning less than $250,000 per year."

There was a ray of bi-partisanship Thursday when Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) introduced an amendment that would allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter medical products as medical expenses. Chairman Baucus along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.) offered to assist the Senator from Kentucky on the amendment, both agreeing that it addresses an important issue.

Chairman Baucus hopes to finish the markup late Thursday night. The Finance Committee has heard arguments for 107 amendments of the 564 submitted.

Baucus Accuses Kyl Of Stalling Markup Of Health Care Reform Bill

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

While the third day of the Senate Finance Committee's markup of the "America's Healthy Future Act" opened Thursday with an exchange of bipartisan jokes, it quickly turned serious as Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) painted Senator Orrin Hatch (D-Utah) and other members of the conservative caucus as defenders of the status quo. Baucus also accused Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) for stalling the markup process.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R- Iowa) strongly criticized Medicare drug benefits and doughnut-hole dual eligible Americans, saying that the Baucus bill, “would undermine the [Medicare] part D program. Added Grassley, "The [Congressional Budget Office] is like God around here,” a reference to CBO estimates that the nation would face increased deficits if the bill is passed.

Democratic committee members on Thursday said they would focus on gaining the backing of the centrists in their own party, particularly Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). In addition, Democrats were expected to attempt to win over the support of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), a moderate Republican who is viewed as a potential swing vote.

With 564 amendments, the markup of the America's Healthy Future Act 2009 is expected to continue into next week.

Baucus Shoots Down GOP Amendment

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

While Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee welcomed and praised the work from the Republican members during the continuation of the markup of America’s Healthy Future Act, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) worked fast to shoot down an amendment proposed by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), calling it "Unconstitutional", due to the fact that it requires a congressional agency to issue an order that has consequences towards the executive branch.

According to Baucus, the Republican Senator did not have enough data to back up an amendment that would require Congressional Budget Office certification for cuts made to Medicare advantage.

Republican committee members continued to urge a slow markup process while Democratic members requested that the committee move faster, noting that thousands of Americans continue to lose their health coverage.

With approximately 500 amendments proposed, the markup is expected to last well beyond Wednesday.