Industry groups push back on Kennedy's health bill

Employers and health-insurance companies are pushing back against parts of a health bill proposed by Sen. Edward Kennedy. Lobbyists combed through the "Affordable Health Choices Act" that the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions released. The bill would require most Americans to buy health insurance and would create government-run exchanges where they could buy policies. It also calls for a new government health-insurance plan and indicates employers would be required to help pay for employees' plans. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, said it fears an employer health-insurance mandate would pile new costs on business when many are struggling to remain profitable.