Bredesen, a former health insurance executive, has finally come up with a proposal that could be a harbinger of the way health care is going to evolve for middle income folk as well: Cut back the benefits to basics but not so far back that the policy has no day-to-day value (such as a catastrophic plan that only kicks in for dire emergencies), add low premiums and co-pays but sweeten the deal with portability -- if you lose your job, the insurance plan still goes with you.
"I don't want us to launch another big government entitlement program," Bredesen said in a speech before the General Assembly a few nights ago. "My proposal is not rooted in a 1960s entitlement program; it is a modern, fiscally cautious, down-to-earth approach."
It's also one several legislators said they were leaning toward taking on faith--given Bredesen's insurance background.
