Max Baucus: “I just want to inform my colleagues that this is a balanced bill. It has been very difficult to achieve that balance. I…”

“I just want to inform my colleagues that this is a balanced bill. It has been very difficult to achieve that balance. I fear it is becoming more fragile as the days pass by. I think it would be very unfortunate if this bill fell apart. I am not saying, by any stretch of the imagination, that the amendment offered by my very good friend from South Dakota is going to tip the balance of the bill, but I am saying--knowing of other amendments that are coming up, and the views that various Senators are taking on the amendments they may offer later on--this balance, this bill which I think we all want to support, is not in jeopardy yet but it is somewhat tenuous. There are protections in the bill for premiums. A couple quick points: One, under the bill, there are large geographic areas, which will tend to force the premiums to not fluctuate but to be according to insurable principles. Second, there are very strong consumer protections that are basically the FEHBP protections which provide premiums have to be in line with benefits. That is under FEHBP. We incorporated that in the bill. There is also a geographic adjustment in the bill. Right now, the Secretary has discretion to make the geographic adjustment. That might be strengthened later on in the proceedings.”