Feingold sharply critical of plan to overhaul nation’s health care system

Talk about it

Russ Feingold, D-Wis., was sharply critical of the Senate Finance Committee chairman’s plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

Feingold said the $856 billion plan meets none of his three major goals – having a strong government insurance option, reforming long-term care and boosting Medicare reimbursements to health providers.

The plan announced by Montana Democrat Max Baucus dropped the government option in favor of creating large health care cooperatives.

It would raise taxes on insurers and make businesses offer health coverage to almost everyone.

Baucus said he made compromises to try and win Senate passage.

But Feingold says the Finance Committee needs to change the package so it’s not “health care reform in name only.”

The panel expects to complete its work by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl said the Baucus plan has several items he’s been pushing for in the Senate’s Aging Committee.

They include the disclosure to gifts to doctors from the makers of medical devices and medicines, training assistance for home care aides, and giving consumers more information about nursing homes and their track records.

Tags: russ feingold, health care system, wisconsin