So Olympia Snowe is risking her moderate credentials in a big way according to Robert Pear in today's Times:

In another effort to reduce the burden of health costs, Ms. Snowe proposed to limit the deductible that could be charged to workers in an employer-sponsored health plan. In most cases, the deductible — the amount paid up front by policyholders — could not exceed $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families.

Which is far more realistic than the proposed limits of $5,595 and $11,900 found in the Baucus markup. This would still be a hardship for the poor but would not destroy nearly as many families' finances.

Still Wonks Anonymous has a question for Senator Snowe: If people with employer provided health insurance can't afford a family deductible over $4,000 how can we expect people without employer provided insurance to be able to?