White House, hospitals reach deal on health care

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WASHINGTON — The nation’s hospitals will give up $155 billion in future Medicare and Medicaid payments to help defray the cost of President Barack Obama’s health care plan, a concession the White House hopes will boost an overhaul effort that’s hit a roadblock in Congress. Vice President Joe Biden announced the deal at the White House on Wednesday, with administration officials and hospital administrators at his side. Yet on Capitol Hill, Democratic senators were in open rebellion over a proposed new tax on health care benefits. "Reform is coming. It is on track; it is coming. We have tried for decades to fix a broken system, and we have never, in my entire tenure in public life, been this close," Biden said. And, in a firm message to lawmakers, Biden added, "We must — and we will — enact reform by the end of August." http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view/20090708white_house_hospitals_reach_deal_on_health_care/