GOP to Push Gradual, Market-Based Health Reform

Congressional Republicans will likely bring a well-developed alternative road map to health care reform to their summit with President Obama, based on an examination of past actions. The GOP favors a far more market-oriented and less comprehensive approach to reform, according to a New York Times analysis of bills the GOP has offered in the last few years and on Republican criticism of Democratic proposals.

GOP proposals—which include making it easier to sell insurance across state lines and expanding the role of private insurance companies in Medicare— won't extend coverage to nearly as many uninsured people as the Democrats' plan would, but party leaders say they can achieve gradual progress without a huge economic cost to the nation. The party is in agreement with the Democrats on some aspects of reform, including the need to focus on preventive medicine and to make price and quality data on doctors and hospitals more accessible. (More health care reform stories.)