WASHINGTON (AP) _ Liberal Democrats appear to be coalescing around
the compromise health care bill that's set to go before the House
this week.
It doesn't include the mandated payment rates for hospitals and
providers that they wanted, but after some initial reluctance,
liberals are starting to say they'll support the wide-ranging reform
measure.
But Republicans are unanimously against the overhaul.
The bill, set for House action this week, would extend coverage to
96 percent of all Americans.
It would also require individuals to get insurance, and employers
would have to offer it to their workers.
Some Democrats are want the leadership to include wording that
contains an outright ban on abortion funding or, failing that, they
want a vote on the issue.
Another issue that has to be resolved is how to make sure illegal
immigrants cannot get taxpayer funded medical care.
