Some common ground emerges in health battle
WASHINGTON -- At the same time partisan divisions over health care are becoming increasingly stark, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are finding consensus on ideas that ultimately could be included in a final plan.
Momentum for health care legislation — which President Obama says he wants to sign by October — slowed Wednesday as lawmakers continued to bicker over a controversial government insurance program and the fundamental question of how to pay for the proposals.
Despite the political squabbling, both parties have offered proposals in recent days that include similar provisions.
"We often hear about where we disagree," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., who helped draft an overhaul outline that House Republicans released Wednesday. "It is surprising that there isn't more of a focus on what we can do together, where there are these common elements."
Some common ideas include:
• Providing government subsidies to help low-income Americans buy health insurance. Lawmakers differ on how the subsidies would be designed and who would benefit, but Wyoming Sen. Michael Enzi, the ranking Republican on one committee considering health care, said there is "broad bipartisan agreement" for the concept.
• Creating a "marketplace" where consumers can make side-by-side comparisons of health insurance options. Both Democratic and Republican plans, including the House GOP outline, call for the feature, which is similar to what is in place in Massachusetts.
• Allowing older dependents, up to age 25 or 26, to be covered by their parents' insurance.
• Requiring insurance companies to provide coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and making it easier for employees to keep health benefits if they lose their job.
"You're starting to see ... agreement not only at the level of broad principles, but at the level of major features for implementing those principles," said Mark McClellan, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution, a think tank.
