Agreement reportedly near on health bill

Senate healthcare negotiators said they were closing in on a $1 trillion healthcare bill that would be fully funded by tax increases, Medicare cuts, and new penalties for employers who do not offer health insurance. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said members of the panel would consider several policy and financing options over the Fourth of July recess, with the goal of producing a deficit-neutral 10-year bill shortly after Congress returns July 6.