House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he plans to meet with Republican lawmakers informally this week to discuss some of the thornier parts of an effort to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.
Hoyer told reporters on Capitol Hill that he intends to meet with Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Republican Health Care Caucus, this week to continue a discussion on comparative-effectiveness research and a public health-plan option—among other measures—that have proven to be sticking points between the two parties.
“Clearly there are differences, clearly there are concerns,” Hoyer told reporters on Capitol Hill. “But I also believe that there is an opportunity for us to try to work together and come to an agreement on issues.”
House Democrats held more than 150 healthcare-related events in their home districts over the past two weeks, he said, adding that the overarching consensus is that an overhaul to the $2.5 trillion healthcare system is needed.
Hoyer said that the House would craft a bill that allows individuals to keep their current health insurance, but also allots them a host of other coverage options.
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