As I noted yesterday, Democrats are starting to talk up the idea that moving the implementation of key benefits forward might be one way to ease a final health care bill through the House of Representatives. The caveat, of course, is that the earlier the benefits kick in, the more the bill will cost in the Congressional Budget Office’s initial 10 year window.
This afternoon, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) says that could create problems.
“We’ll just have to look at the numbers,” Nelson told reporters. “I think that’s what’s the question.”
According to CBO, the current legislation before the Senate will require $871 billion in federal spending over 10 years. Asked whether he’d set a ceiling for the cost of the final health care bill, Nelson left some wiggle room. “871-ish,” he said.
