If the Democrats are serious about passing a bi-partisan health care system overhaul law they need to incorporate the following into the current bill:

1. Tort Reform - Arbitration is common to most contracts why not health care services?
2. Sale of Insurance across state lines - Competition can't hurt
3. All "special deals" culled out of the bill
4. Honest funding mechanisms - Strong use of dedicated revenue streams.
5. Be willing to limit the Bill to a more manageable scope. Drastically reducing its complexity.

If the Republicans are serious about helping to solve US's Health Care cost issue they will

1. Concede that the current Health Care Insurance system needs serious improvements
2. Allow that the current bill appropriately amended could be acceptable to everyone
3. Help identify ways to fund health care services for those that can't afford it on their own.
4. Drastically change or eliminate Health Insurance Monopoly exemptions.

The Democrats are justifiably leery of the time delay necessary to seriously consider Republican health care reform ideas. The Republicans are pushing to "start from scratch". This is overplaying their hand, they should be willing to concede that the main components of the current Senate bill would be retained and improved. It is a shame because together they could craft a bill that furthers everyone's goals of increased access to health care coverage and reduced long term costs.