WASHINGTON -- A broad bipartisan drive is building in Congress to enact this year health insurance reforms that would allow workers to retain coverage when they get sick, or change or lose jobs.
The effort faces the same partisan politics and special interest concerns that killed President Clinton's health care reform proposal nearly two years ago. But this time, leaders of the movement say, they believe that political momentum may be on their side.
"We're getting stronger every day," proclaimed Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum, a Kansas Republican and chief sponsor of the proposal. She has signed up half the Senate -- 22 Republicans and 28 Democrats -- as co-sponsors.
The threat to the bill appears to lie in the House, where Republican leaders are planning to attach so many amendments to the basic proposal that advocates fear it could collapse from the weight. GOP leaders were scheduled to unveil their package this morning.
"We're just adding items for which we believe there is a broad consensus, like medical malpractice reform," said Tony Blankley, press secretary for House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "You don't have that many chances to get health legislation through."
That's just the point, says Rep. Marge Roukema, a New Jersey Republican who is chief sponsor of the Kassebaum proposal in the House. "They're reaching too far. The Republicans in the Senate have already learned this; the House should, too."
Unlike the massive overhaul of America's health system that Mr. Clinton proposed, the Kassebaum bill tries to correct only one element of the health insurance market to help about 25 million Americans.
The measure prohibits insurers from denying coverage for more than 12 months because of pre-existing conditions, and it makes insurance portable by requiring insurers to renew policies for workers and companies that have bought insurance for at least 18 months.
"It eliminates the worst abuses and the worst profiteering of the current system," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
The measure falls far short of what the Massachusetts Democrat would prefer; he favors a government-sponsored program of universal health care. But Mr. Kennedy has joined the effort because he believes it is the most Congress can now do.
The bill was blocked for months by conservative Republican senators who had placed "holds" on the measure. They were persuaded to drop the "holds" only after Mr. Clinton called
