Following the White House's release of a health reform proposal (in preparation for the bipartisan summit Thursday--see DM 11761), reaction from Democratic and Republican leaders was typically partisan, with the Democrats showing careful enthusiasm, and the Republicans ardent skepticism.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, sometimes critical of the president's positions, weighed in with upbeat remarks. "The president today made available to all Americans the administration's health insurance reform proposal, which contains positive elements from the House and Senate-passed bills. I look forward to reviewing it with House members and then joining the president and the Republican leadership at the Blair House meeting on Thursday. This discussion will continue a year-long historic level of transparency and open debate of this crucial reform effort."

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Assistant Majority Leader, was similarly positive: "The president's health reform proposal brings together the best of the current health care proposals - including both Republican and Democratic ideas. President Obama's plan to give access to affordable health care to over 31 million Americans who currently don't have it today, will put families not insurance companies back in control of their own health care, drive down health care costs and improve the quality of health care in America....On Thursday, I will join congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle in a meeting to discuss the president's new plan. I look forward to a discussion with new ideas and bipartisan participation."

And Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) continued the approval of the bipartisan approach. "Working with Democrats and Republicans, the president has outlined meaningful proposals that bring good ideas from both parties to the table. The White House proposal includes a system to prevent unfair and excessive premium rate increases through federal and state oversight of the health insurance industry, expansion of coverage to dependent children up to age 26, and employee wellness programs."

However, House Republican Leader Representative John Boehner (R-OH) was quite skeptical of the proposal, stating, "The American people have spoken: they want us to scrap the Democrats' health care bill and start over. That isn't the 'Republican' position; it is the position of the American people....The President has crippled the credibility of this 'summit' by proposing the same massive government takeover of health care the American people have already rejected. It doubles down on the same failed approach that will drive up premiums, destroy jobs, raise taxes, and slash Medicare benefits. Their latest backroom deal makes this 'summit' a charade."

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