Excerpt: While the new proposal is similar to the framework released the previous week, differences include the cost of the package and a 'Sense of the Senate' provision that encourages the states to test pilot projects to reform the medical malpractice system. Moreover, additional changes are expected as Baucus seeks support, including more affordable plans and raising the limits on 'Cadillac' plans. In many respects, the outline of President Obama's reform principles, as outlined in his speech, bears a marked resemblance to the Finance Committee's framework, with a couple of exceptions. First, the President supported a pay-or-play employer mandate on non-small employers. Second, the President took a backdoor approach to the issue of whether or not to include a 'public option' as part of health care reform. After reciting all the reasons why a public plan option should be included, the President went on to say that it was possible that other ways of achieving the same objective would be 'worth exploring.'  MORE >>