The basic outline of the Medicare proposal is that it would not effect people under the age of 55 and that it would include the toughest consumer protections in American government. Part of the plan is a ‘premium support’ system that would allow Medicare users to choose between a government and a private plan. There would be conditions in place to make sure the private plans provided the same service as the government plan.

The article concludes:

Yes, these are ambitious reforms, and while we are hopeful for the future, we are under no illusions that they will pass tomorrow. Nevertheless, we offer this plan as proof that Democrats and Republicans don’t have to spend next year making Medicare reform more difficult. Instead, our parties can work together on bipartisan reforms to save and strengthen Medicare.

I have no idea what Congress will do with this plan. It is, however, extremely encouraging to see the sort of co-operation that this plan represents. When members of Congress from both parties work together, America wins.