HispanicBusiness

Sen. Edward Kennedy's (D-Mass.) massive plan to overhaul health care is already getting hammered by Republicans who contend that the proposal would simply be too costly for employers and insurance companies.

The LA Times reports today that even moderate Republicans are crying foul over Kennedy's plan, claiming it is too expensive, unrealistic and that they were left out of talks when the bill was crafted.

"There is a lot of concern in the Republican caucus, concern that I share, that the administration is trying to rush the bill through," Maine Sen. Susan Collins told the Times. "That is a mistake. There is a lot of goodwill. There is a lot of interest in working cooperatively with the administration, but if the bill is jammed through the Senate, that goodwill will dissipate very quickly."

There are hundreds of details contained in the 600-plus page document. Bloomberg reports that all employers would have to provide health care coverage to workers or contribute to the cost. Insurance companies would also not be able to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

The exact cost of the plan is unknown, but reports speculate that it could cost everybody more than $1 trillion over the next decade. Kennedy's bill does not outline a way to pay for the proposal.

Several health care reform proposals are expected to emerge this summer, setting the stage for wide nationwide debate, with talk that Democrats will push for a government-backed universal health care plan to compete with private insurers.