NDP leader Jack Layton says the health-care proposal put forth by the minority Liberals is "disappointing", but said his party will study it over the weekend.

"We are disappointed in what we see, but we are going to proceed in good faith over the weekend to study what has been offered here," Layton told a news conference Friday.

The proposal -- delivered to the NDP late last night via email -- came after days of blistering language from Layton denouncing Liberal corruption.

Layton has threatened to take away the support of his 18 seats in the House of Commons in a confidence vote that could come as early as Nov. 15.

That would mean an election over the holidays -- something that CTV's Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife said is unlikely.

"There is not going to be an election before Christmas. (Conservative leader Stephen) Harper has said this. "(Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles) Duceppe has said this. And he's all but admitted this," Fife told CTV Newsnet.

Despite this, the Liberals have responded to Layton's demands on private health care with what the NDP leader calls a "comprehensive" health-care package.

Layton said the package contained some "promising language", such as acknowledging that the government really can't calculate the growth of private health care.

"What is disappointing is that we really cannot see how the proposals that the government has given back to us will stop the growth of privatization," Layton said.

"We have to analyze whether there is the basis here for some improvement, or whether this is just simply inadequate."

Fife said the sticking point appears to be the issue of reducing transfer payments to the provinces that allow more private medical clinics.

"That looks to be the issue that is the stumbling block for them right now."

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, who drafted the proposal to the NDP, said putting together the package was complicated because of federal-provincial jurisdiction issues.