Earlier today, the Senate Finance Committee began marking up the proposed bill that was introduced last week by Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont). With over 500 proposed amendments to the bill, some interesting debate should ensue the next couple of weeks. To see a list of the proposed amendments, please click HERE.

The Washington Post reports: The bill would expand health coverage to millions without adding to federal budget deficits, and despite criticism of the measure from both parties, it has attracted the support of more moderate Democrats than any other proposal.

After a year-long effort to build a bipartisan consensus around the plan, Baucus has so far been unable to persuade any Republicans to sign on, and fellow Democrats have accused him of wasting his time courting conservative Sens. Charles E. Grassley (Iowa) and Mike Enzi (Wyo.).

The New York Times stated: The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, said Monday that he would modify his health care bill to provide more generous assistance to moderate-income Americans, to help them buy insurance.