Health compromise to see changes before vote, House Dems say

Two senior House Democrats said an agreement struck with centrist Blue Dog Democrats in late July on a public health insurance option might be altered before a healthcare bill reaches the House floor. Under the Blue Dog deal, which was included in legislation that passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the HHS secretary would negotiate payment rates to doctors and hospitals under the new public plan. But that provision drew sharp criticism from more liberal House Democrats, who want those payment rates to be pegged to the Medicare program. They argue that negotiated rates would give insurance companies undue influence, and wouldn't lower costs enough.