Quote:
Senate negotiators narrow health care differences

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer Ricardo Alonso-zaldivar, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 38 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Senate health care negotiators said Monday they've narrowed their differences on a host of difficult issues with just a day or so left to seal an elusive bipartisan deal that could change the course of the contentious debate.

The negotiators pared the cost of their 10-year coverage plan to under $880 billion, and also reported progress on several issues, including health insurance for the poor, restrictions on federal funding for abortions, a verification system to prevent illegal immigrants from getting benefits, and ways to encourage alternatives to malpractice lawsuits.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said the negotiators are close on a verification system to prevent illegal immigrants from getting government subsidies to buy health coverage — a big issue for Republicans.

"We're very close to conclusion on how to prevent people who are here illegally from benefiting," Conrad said.

Even if Baucus can't get Republican support, the plan already reflects some major GOP priorities. For example, Baucus opted not to include a government insurance plan to compete with private carriers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health...VuYXRlbmVnb3Rp
Well that's good news to finally see Democrats finally moving toward the middle and addressing problems many Americans have with Obamacare. It's nice to see they finally stopped lying about illegals getting government subsidies to buy health coverage, and some kind of affordable coverage for the working poor. Add tort reform to senr the shark lawyers packing, some patients rights and competition across state lines. They just might find themselves with a deal.