Nelson (Fla.): Healthcare compromise 'a non-starter'

The supposed healthcare deal cut by Harry Reid is a "non-starter," Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said today.

Reid announced this week that Democrats had reached a "broad agreement" on replacing the public option with a Medicare "buy-in" provision and a series of non-profit insurance plans similar to what federal employees are offered.

But apparently that "broad agreement" didn't include Nelson.

"I think when we get the score back from CBO that it’s going to be too costly," Nelson told Fox News Live today.

Nelson also said Americans who don't currently have healthcare wouldn't be able to afford their own Medicare policy. (That offer would only apply to those aged 55-64.)

"So, at the end of the day, I think it’s going to be a non-starter," he said.

Democrats, of course, need all 60 members of their caucus to vote for cloture on whatever compromise they come up with, unless they pick off a Republican or two.