G.O.P. To Put Health Care Bill On Display

Although President Obama has rejected specific Republican requests for health care, Congressional Republicans have mapped out alternatives that show what a Republican health care bill would look like if they had the complete power to create it.

On Feb. 25, legislators from both parties will be televised while they debate their different health care policy ideas. The Republicans depend mostly on the market rather than the government. They also would not require employers to provide insurance, as the Democrats want a large expansion to Medicaid. 

Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, said Republicans were skeptical of the "grand legislative policy schemes" and favored "a step-by-step approach" focused on lowering the health costs.

The Republican bill infers to expand the role of private insurance companies in Medicare, oppose any tax increase and require insurers to let dependent children stay on their parents' policies through age 26. Republicans and Democrats also share some goals such as making it easier for small businesses to buy insurance and whether or not to include a tax on employer-provided health benefits.

Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire said he worries the session would be used as "an arena for political theater."