Sebelius offers Conrad compromise measured praise on Sunday circuit

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius indicated receptiveness to a healthcare reform compromise offered by Sen. Kent Conrad’s (D-N.D.) while the secretary made the Sunday talk show rounds.

“Well, again, I think that having these ideas on the table is exactly where we need to be right now,” Sebelius said on CNN Sunday when asked about Conrad’s proposal.

The North Dakota Democrat, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, suggested the establishment of public co-ops in place of a public (or “government-run”) plan for consumers. Republicans and centrist Democrats have balked at supporting the public plan.

“I think Senator Conrad has come forward with a creative idea, recognizing that choice and competition are good in a marketplace,” Sebelius said on ABC’s “This Week.”

Key Republicans have signaled this weekend receptiveness to the potential compromise, though more liberal Democrats have insisted on the preservation of the public plan in the final form of the bill.