Finance committee may omit public plan, employer mandate

The Associated Press is quoting sources saying that "After weeks of secretive talks, a bipartisan group in the Senate edged closer Monday to a health care compromise that omits a requirement for businesses to offer coverage to their workers and lacks a government insurance option that President Barack Obama favors, according to numerous officials.

Like bills drafted by Democrats, the proposal under discussion by six members on the Senate Finance Committee would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to any applicant. Nor could insurers charge higher premiums on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions."

Meanwhile, the AP also reports that "A new government health insurance plan sought by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats could coexist with private insurers without driving them out of business," according to a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said it remains possible that the House will vote on a proposal before the August recess.  (Espo and Alonso-Zaldivar, 7/27).