Hospital Officials Near Agreement

Officials say the nation's hospitals are near
a deal with the White House and a key lawmaker to pick up part of
the cost of President Barack Obama's plan for expanded health
coverage.
These officials say under the emerging agreement, the hospitals
would accept lower-than-anticipated payments under Medicare and
Medicaid, the federal health care programs for seniors and the
poor. A precise number was not available, although several days
ago, talks were focused in the range of $150 billion to $155
billion over a decade.
Spokesmen at the nation's largest hospital groups either could
not be reached or declined comment. The officials who described the
talks would not be identified by name, citing confidential
negotiations.