Kaine, Bennet Preview Bill To Create Medicare-Like Public Option

Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine (VA) and Michael Bennet (CO) Wednesday (Feb.17) previewed an updated version of their legislation to create a new public option in the exchanges that relies on Medicare infrastructure and allows for higher reimbursement rates for rural hospitals than did earlier versions. The Medicare-like choice would be available to residents in areas that have little competition and high costs before eventually moving to all rating areas -- and into the small business exchange by 2025. The Medicare...