Note: This discussion paper begins with the congress having already passed HCR bills in both houses with little or no "Republican" input. Noramally these discussions would involve summarization of opposing Rep and Dem positions and then do a MOTRA attempt to reach a compromise position. The clear Repubilcan position on the current legislation is to kill the bill and start over. If they should be successful, which I don't think they will - this discussion will be expanded to include Republican issues. Until then. this discussion will be limited to reconciliation of the House and Senate versions of the current legislation. Of course, one option the Republicans have is to work with the Democrats on this reconciliation effort to "improve" it the best they can.

1. My ideal position.

If I were a benevolent dictator, I would opt for a complete single payer system where "basic" health care would be FREE (taxpayer funded) to anyone and everyone who needed basic medical and dental attention. People could still purchase “Cadillac” type policies that would cover such things as face lifts, boob jobs, braces or even accelerated attention for “selective” procedures that the basic system might have long waiting periods for such as seen on some procedures in Canada.

2. My realistic position

Since I realize that “My Ideal Position” would have no chance of being enacted, my “going in position” in today’s environment would be a MOTRA position and would include such things as elimination of “pre-existing condition” loop holes and several other reforms that both parties agree are needed. I would include some Republican stands such as moderate tort reform, freedom to buy drugs abroad akin to the Dorgan/McCain Amendment and very limited allowance for abortion. It would also include some form of “public option.”

3. The House Version

Major controversial issues will be listed here such as:

"Public Option"
Liberal Abortion Verbage
Taxing Rich People

4. The Senate Version

Major controversial issues would be listed here such as:

No Public Option
Strong Abortion Language
“pay offs” such as were granted to Lieberman and Nelson.
Taxing "Cadilac Policies

5. MOTRA Reconciliation

This position would be determined by discussion and compromise among Middle of the Road Americans unencumbered by special interest bribes and media hype