Baucus to propose own U.S. healthcare bill next week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said on Wednesday that he would put forward his own healthcare bill next week even if no Republicans support it, but that it would probably not contain a proposal for a public health insurance option.

"I know that some of my Republican colleagues very much want to be part of this ... and they know, and I know, there's still time," Baucus, a Democrat, told reporters.

He said his proposal, which would likely go to the full Senate Finance Committee for consideration the week after next, would probably be "fairly close" to a compromise healthcare plan he floated over the weekend aimed at winning some Republican support.

He added it would probably not contain a public health insurance option, because that "cannot pass the Senate."

(Editing by Sandra Maler)