TPMDC has obtained a copy of a Republican health care bill, making the rounds on Capitol Hill. Republican leaders have not officially unveiled the package, and warn that it is still changing, but the early draft, contains almost surprises.
Among the legislation’s major goals are to enact malpractice reform, allow consumers to buy health insurance over state lines, cancel a federal comparative effectiveness research program created by the stimulus bill, and prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions.
Notably, the draft I’ve obtained does not include many of the regulatory reforms in the Democratic plans that supposedly enjoy bipartisan support–but various mainstream and conservative news outlets will be happy to note that the draft itself is significantly smaller, page-wise, than the House and Senate bills that will ultimately come to the floor.
Democrats have derided Republicans for opposing health care reform efforts without offering alternatives of their own. Well, now they can say they’re offering ideas of their own. They just happen to be the same ideas they’ve been touting for years.
