Hatch frustrated with Democratic proposals on health-care reform

After the first week of committee work on health-care reform, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Friday that he is frustrated with Democrats and their proposals.

"Even at end of the first week of markup, we continue to work off an incomplete bill with no official scores (that say how much the bills could cost) or technical assistance from the administration," Hatch said.

Many see support from Hatch — a member of the Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and a friend of prime reform sponsor Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. — as a key for potential passage of a reform bill.

But Hatch has spent the week complaining about Democratic proposals, as has Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, who had sponsored a reform bill of his own with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who's also seen as likely essential to passage of any reform.

Both Utah senators have complained that Democrats and President Barack Obama are insisting on including a government-run health-care option in proposals, which they say over time may kill off private health insurance.

"Despite their continued promises of an open and honest debate, congressional leaders continue to reject improvements to the bill designed to help American families with some of the most controversial provisions, including a Washington-run government plan and a job-killing employer mandate," Hatch said.

"It is an unacceptable way to legislate, especially on an issue affecting one-sixth of our economy," he said.

"It is becoming abundantly clear that the arbitrary time lines and liberal policies are preventing the Senate from proceeding with a more thoughtful approach that could deliver bipartisan health-care-reform legislation all Americans would be proud of," Hatch said.

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