Republican proposes health care compromise

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Sen. Olympia Snowe says a government-run health insurance plan that would take effect if the private insurance market fails to deliver affordable coverage could bridge the partisan divide that threatens to derail President Barack Obama's efforts to reform the system. The Maine Republican says she's working with Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York to establish that kind of a framework in the bill expected to emerge next month from the Senate Finance Committee. Snowe says it would be unfair to include a government-run health insurance option that would take effect immediately because the public plan would have significant price advantages. Snowe is seen as a key swing vote on health care. She was the committee's only Republican who declined to go on record as opposing the public option. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

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