Snowe: Baucus bill 'moves in right direction'

Max Baucus's healthcare bill "moves in the right direction," Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) said today.

Snowe is seen as the Republican most likely to support a Democratic bill. Earlier today, she said she could not yet support Baucus's legislation without significant changes.

"I believe the Chairman’s legislation moves in the right direction away from a government-run system contained in bills that have passed other Congressional committees, but a number of issues still need to be addressed," she said. (Read the full statement after the jump.)

Snowe cited cost assumptions, affordability and adequate competition as the areas that need work.

The Maine Republican said she hasn't given up on a bipartisan bill and said the Group of Six is still alive and well.

"This is a first step in the process and those of us as members of the bipartisan Group of 6 fully intend to keep meeting, moving forward and continuing to work with the Chairman during the committee process toward crafting a bill that I, and hopefully other Republican members of the Finance Committee, can support," Snowe said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus introducing his health reform legislation today, senior Finance Committee member U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe said the following:

“This is a first step in the process and those of us as members of the bipartisan Group of 6 fully intend to keep meeting, moving forward and continuing to work with the Chairman during the committee process toward crafting a bill that I, and hopefully other Republican members of the Finance Committee, can support. I believe the Chairman’s legislation moves in the right direction away from a government-run system contained in bills that have passed other Congressional committees, but a number of issues still need to be addressed -- including cost assumptions and ultimate affordability to both consumers and the government as well as ensuring appropriate competition in the health insurance exchange.

“Moreover, I have repeatedly insisted that Committee Members are given sufficient time to read the legislation – and for the Congressional Budget Office to provide its cost projections – given the monumental complexity of this issue. As one of three Republicans in the Group of 6, I have appreciated the Chairman’s leadership of the only bipartisan effort in any committee in either the House or Senate, which has laid real and substantial groundwork for bipartisan cooperation during this ongoing process – and I will continue to work toward that goal as the committee continues its deliberations.”