This is quite a commentary. Here’s a description of the pared down approach being considered on Capitol Hill …
The consensus measure would be less ambitious than the bills approved last year. It would extend insurance coverage to perhaps 12 million to 15 million people — and provide political cover to Democrats, who said they could not simply drop the issue after spending so much time and effort on it.
The pared-back approach would cover fewer than half of those who, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would gain coverage under the House and Senate bills. But it would not put the government on the hook for what critics say is a new entitlement, a change that would appeal to some Republicans.
So the House won’t pass the current senate bill because it’s not progressive enough. So the solution is to come up with a new bill that will cover half as many people. And lots of Republicans are going to vote for it. Even better.
