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President Barack Obama wants Congress to incorporate four Republican proposals in the next version of the health care bill. Some see this step as an olive branch while others say it's a feeble attempt to get Republicans on board with health care reform.
"The president says he is open to looking at ways to examine fraud in Medicare, to look at health savings accounts—that’s popular among Republicans. Looking at ways to try to deal with medical malpractice, and he’s also interested in getting more reimbursements for doctors who are willing to take on patients who belong to Medicaid."
NBC Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O'Donnell tells MSNBC Obama's nod to Republicans is a step in the right direction.
"The president also named each of the members, whether a senator or a congressman, naming those Republicans, giving them credit for the ideas. ... Those are important signals to send to Republicans when the president says he wants to work in a bipartisan way."
But others aren't as impressed by the president's latest move. On Fox News, Brit Hume and Bret Baier say fundamental concerns of the people are still absent.
"It's a little hard to believe that something truly major, new, very different is about to emerge. ... And there is not much belief in this country at this time, Bret, that this measure is going to reduce costs. There's a tremendous fear that it is only going to add in a major way to the national debt."
CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian says although the president is interested in compromise, the ultimate goal is passing the bill regardless of the Republican stance.
"I've been talking to White House officials and they're telling me that the president will talk very much about trying to get health care reform passed in a bipartisan way, but that he will make it very clear that if that's not possible he will move forward with health care reform."
What do you think -- will the president's move improve his chances of getting a health care reform bill passed?
Writer: Veronica Wells
