Gavra,
There were some really good ideas from Republicans in the 1970s (Nixon/Ford) and the 1990s (Dole/Chaffee). The Nixon/Ford plan was pretty similar to what got passed last year; the Dole/Chaffee plan was far more radical as it would have basically eliminated employer-provided insurance and required all individuals to buy insurance. I really liked the Dole/Chaffee plan and I thought that the Clintons made a big mistake in not negotiating with them, just as Kennedy made a big mistake in not negotiating with Nixon in 1973/1974 until it was too late. I wish that the Republicans had been willing to put forth real proposals last year rather than just obstruct; the only Republican who did seriously try to work with a Democrat was Robert Bennett and the the Republican right wingers primaried him.
Moq,
My training is in biostatistics and epidemiology, not health care policy. Go ahead and argue!